School District 65 Digest: Enrollment Drop is Among Many in Lake County

Since 2006, has seen a drop in enrollment of 112 students.

gave board members a look at sixth-day enrollment figures from schools across Lake County at Tuesday's board meeting (see attached PDF). The sixth-day of school is considered the official enrollment figure for the school year.

Martindale provided the information for two reasons. One, to illustrate that enrollment is falling and may continue to fall, and staffing adjustments need to be made. Second, they are not alone.

Across Lake County, including Lake Forest, enrollment drops hit 28 school districts out of 46 listed (either elementary or high school).  saw its enrollment fall from 2,277 students in 2006 to 2,023 this year, while Lake Bluff went from 1,018 to 906.

The school with the greatest enrollment jump is Round Lake School District 116, which has gone from 6,663 students in 2006 to 7,166 or an increase of 503 this year.

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The search for a permanent superintendent has a schedule. The district will conduct an online survey from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, asking for public input on the characteristics of the new superintendent. While the survey is posted, the consulting firm hired by the district, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates in Glenview, will conduct two public meetings with the community.

The district will screen candidates from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15, and by the end of January begin its first set of candidate interviews. The second and final round of interviews will be completed by mid-February.

The new superintendent will be announced at the March 20 school board meeting.

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Dr. Paul Schomer of the University of Illinois, an environmental noise expert, recently conducted further tests on the that has created a noise pollution problem for residents who live in the surrounding area.

Schomer has been invited to the Committee of the Whole meeting on Oct. 19 to present his findings and recommendations.