Area student count mixed bag

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MARQUETTE - Many area school districts have lost students this academic year, yet some smaller districts saw an increase during the state's official student count day Wednesday.

The biggest increase in students occurred at North Star Academy, with 97 more students than last year.

North Star CEO Karen Anderson contributes the increase to the expansion from a middle and high school to a K-12 school.

"We're just very pleased with the start of the school year," she said.

Marquette Area Public Schools, on the other hand, registered the greatest loss of students in the area, and Superintendent Jon Hartwig contributes some of that to North Star's grade expansion.

"A substantial number of students have gone to North Star," he said, adding that MAPS counted 3,131 students Wednesday - 108 students less than last year.

Hartwig said the district did not budget for that big of an enrollment reduction. It projected a loss of only 63 students.

Based on last year's per-pupil state aid amount of $7,316, MAPS could lose nearly $800,000. This year's per-pupil allowance is uncertain because of ongoing state budget talks.

Gwinn school district enrollment also came in lower than predicted, with 1,289 students compared to 1,323 last year.

"We ended up with a loss of 34," Superintendent Mike Maino said. "We based our budget on losing 26 students."

Munising schools experienced a loss of 20 students over last year, coming in at 685 students.

Ishpeming schools lost 11 students this school year, leaving the student count at 880.

"It's students moving out of the area. We had a couple of students go to alternative high schools," said Superintendent Steve Piereson.

Negaunee, NICE and Republic-Michigamme schools all experienced increases in student populations.

The NICE school district has an increase of 26 students this year with 1,193 students counted. Republic-Michigammee schools also saw on increase, counting 151 students this year versus 135 students last year.

"We have seven exchange students this year," Superintendent Vicki Lempinen said. "That's a big contributor. We got a few students as part of schools of choice and last year we only graduated eight."

Negaunee schools gained one student with a count of 1,458.