Area public schools recently held their Fall Count Day, Wednesday, Oct. 7, one of two required student count days each year that determines the amount of funding each district receives from the State of Michigan per the State School Aid Act.
According to michigan.gov/mde (Michigan Department of Education), to be counted in a district’s count days, students must be registered and in attendance for all scheduled hours on the scheduled count day. If for some reason they are not able to attend on count day, they may be counted with the following exceptions: the student has an excused absence and returns to school within 30 calendar days following count day; the student has an unexcused absence and returns to school within 10 school days following count day; or the student is suspended and returns to school within 45 calendar days.
“The calculation schools receive is based on a blend of both spring and fall student count (membership) data. The blend is based on the prior school year’s spring count, and the current school year’s fall count. Spring counts occur on the second Wednesday in February and represent 10 percent of state funding. Fall counts occur on the first Wednesday in October and represent 90% of state funding,” says the website.
Oceana County superintendents were invited to share the outcome of their fall count as well as any additional thoughts related to this year’s fall count. It should be noted that all counts reported below are considered “unverified” until each school goes through a full pupil accounting audit; a process that will be completed sometime in mid-to-late November.
“We were at 1,127 at count day, which is down slightly from last fall (1,144). We expected to be down a bit as we graduated a large senior class, and the incoming kindergarten numbers have been lower the past few years. Overall we are right about where we thought we'd be and maybe even up a few kiddos,” said Hart Public Schools Superintendent Brad Jacobs.
Shelby Public Schools Superintendent Mark Olmstead said, “Our preliminary count Wednesday (Oct. 7) for Shelby Public Schools K-12 was 1,015, which continues the general trend of declining enrollment. One contributing factor continues to be graduating larger classes than incoming kindergarten classes.”
“As of Oct. 7, Hesperia Community Schools recorded 712 students,” said Hesperia Community Schools (HCS) Superintendent Bryan Mey. “We are pleased with the results, given the declining enrollment and low birth rate environment throughout the state and country. We are down about 40 students from last year, which is consistent with our forecasting. (For the 2026-27 school year) The State Aid budget moved to a three-year rolling average for student counts and is a positive step in the right direction for rural districts. HCS benefited from this change.”
“Similar to many schools at both the local and state levels, we are experiencing a decline in enrollment this fall as well with our (fall) enrollment count at 195,” said Pentwater Public Schools Superintendent Craig Barter. “This decrease is largely attributable to a smaller incoming kindergarten class this year, compared to the larger outgoing graduating class from last spring. (However) I am encouraged by the growth in our preschool program, which has seen an increase in enrollment."
Walkerville Public Schools reported 218 K-12 grade students on their pupil rosters Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Spring Count Day will be held for all Michigan public schools Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2027.
