Oak Park enrollment exceeds district expectations
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) has higher than expected enrollment this fall.

This is the first time in two years that the projection fell short of actual figures.

In February, OPUSD annually predicts the number of students for the following academic year. The purpose is to anticipate staff size, and the amount of materials and services to be offered. Sometimes adjustments are made in the summer. But there hasn’t been much new residential construction this year, officials said, that would stimulate a surge in new students.

This year’s enrollment numbers were a surprise, but according to assistant superintendent of business and administrative services Martin Klauss, it’s good news.

"I was projecting very modest growth," Klauss said.

OPUSD projected enrollment for 3,526 students in the 2001-02 school year.

The actual number enrolled is 3,585 students; 59 more than projected. There are also 110 more enrollees vs. a year ago.

In Oak Park, only two schools had enrollment numbers under the projection. Oak View High School expected 58 students and enrolled 41. And Red Oak Elementary School was projected for 554 but enrolled 548.

Otherwise, Brookside Elementary projected 553 and enrolled 576; Oak Hills Elementary projected 441 and enrolled 453; Medea Creek Middle School projected 956 and enrolled 980; and Oak Park High School projected 964 and enrolled 981.

"(This growth) is very beneficial to the district on many levels," Klauss said.

Due to the increase in enrollment, he said, the state will provide an additional $258,000 for staff, supplies and services. California funds its school districts based on enrollment. Each student generates about $4,444 per year.

This year’s budget was very tight, Klauss said, but now with more revenue, there’s greater flexibility. Additional teachers were hired and at the elementary levels, staff was able to eliminate combo classes, which involve more than one class in the same room with the same teacher.

With more students and extra revenue, an extra teacher was provided to split those classes into two.