(Posted Oct. 17, 2019)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Jonathan Alder Local Schools leaders are meeting with civic groups and the community at large to talk about enrollment projections for the school district.
Superintendent Gary Chapman has met with the Plain City Lions Club and parent-teacher organizations. The district also has hosted a community conversation at Plain City Public Library.
Two more community conversations are planned for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, 650 W. Main St., Plain City, and 8 a.m. Oct. 25 at Der Dutchman Restaurant, 445 S. Jefferson Ave., Plain City. Each are estimated to last 30 minutes.
Cooperative Strategies, an education consulting firm, recently completed an enrollment projection study for the district. Chapman and members of the district’s strategic planning committee will talk about the results at the upcoming public meetings.
Jonathan Alder ended the 2018-19 school year with a total of 2,279 students. The current total enrollment is 2,317. The study predicts the district will have 2,620 students by the end of the 2028-29 school year.
A breakdown by school building shows the following numbers (projections are for 2028-29):
- Monroe Elementary (pre-K-grade 4)
Current enrollment–221
Projected enrollment–256
Building capacity–351
- Plain City Elementary (pre-K-grade 4)
Current enrollment–641
Projected enrollment–805
Building capacity–670-700
- Canaan Middle School (grades 5-6)
Current enrollment–356
Projected enrollment–434
Building capacity–417
- Jonathan Alder Jr. High (grades 7-8)
Current enrollment–354
Projected enrollment–388
Building capacity–450
- Jonathan Alder High School (grades 9-12)
Current enrollment–745 (includes 100 students attending Tolles and College Credit Plus)
Projected enrollment–721
Building capacity–768-800.
Regarding capacity, Chapman said, “We’re in a good position right now.”
He added that the strategic planning committee will continue to monitor enrollment trends and demographic influences, explore property options, and work with local and regional partners.
Go to www.alder.k12.oh.us/strategicplanningcommittee1.aspx for details.
