Northwest eyes Economy League findings

UNION TWP. – Northwest Area School District Superintendent Nancy Tkatch was not at all surprised by the results of the Pennsylvania Economy League’s demographic study of the district, which expects a consistent rise in enrollment.

During her five years as superintendent, the statistical information has been about the same. Tkatch said the school has buildings that are in need of repair, and this was a required step in the process.

Charlie Watters and Susan Baker of the League gave a detailed explanation of the results to the Northwest Area School Board on Thursday night in the Northwest Area High School Library.

Watters explained that the study is a planning tool often used to give insight to what may be coming in the future so the board is in a position to make decisions.

The PA Economy League uses population, births, school enrollments and any community development activity to generate projections. The study showed the number of births to be slowly decreasing.

In 1970 there were .75 pupils per household in the district and now the number has nearly fallen by half to .34 per household and Watters attributes this to smaller household size.

According to Watters the area has seen a 10 percent growth in housing units over the last decade and there is expected to be a steady pace of growth given the availability of land.

The study showed a decrease in enrollment by approximately 86 students last year, which more than tripled the previously largest decrease, and found this to be out of line with historical expectations.

Superintendent Nancy Tkatch attributed this to the accountability program, which identified students not legally residing in the district but attending school there. This was a one-time event and it doesn’t change the results, said Watters.

Clear 27°

News

Study is a planning tool to be used in decision making by the school board.

Place Quick Ads