The Marshalltown School District goes through all types of enrollment figures but the certified enrollment number is key since it sets the state funding.

Lisa Koester, director of human resources with the district, reported to the Marshalltown School Board Monday that certified enrollment this year is at 5,208.3 students, which is up 71 students from last year.

The enrollment is not a whole number since different students are counted differently. For example, preschool students are counted as partial students while special education students are counted as more than one student.

Koester said the enrollment increase is "good for the district."

Certified enrollment is up 120 students since 2000 and up 145 students since 1995.

"Since 1995 we've had a gradual increase over the years," Koester said.

The certified enrollment number includes those who have open enrolled out as being a part of the Marshalltown district.

A 71 student increase translates into about $400,000 more in funding to Marshalltown as the state pays about $5,800 per student.

While looking at the enrollment numbers from last year, board member Jay Merryman had issues with the number of high school seniors who started the year and the number who graduated.

The numbers indicated 363 seniors started the year and about 300 graduated last spring.

"That bothers me a little bit," Merryman said.

Koester said the 63 who did not graduate could have dropped out or came back for a fifth year of high school.

Merryman requested district staff bring enrollment numbers to the board throughout the year to be able to monitor them. Koester said she can have the numbers available for every board meeting.

The board next meets in a special work session at 5 p.m. Nov. 12 in the district offices to talk about future renovations to Fisher Elementary School. The next regular board meeting is at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 at district offices.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com