Fewer children might strap on backpacks and head back to school in Lawrence County this year, but school officials say the declining enrollment might not be a problem for long.

Thursday, July 20, 2000

Fewer children might strap on backpacks and head back to school in Lawrence County this year, but school officials say the declining enrollment might not be a problem for long.

Anticipated economic growth, combined with mutual cooperation within county schools, will stabilize and – hopefully – increase student enrollment.

"There has been a trend within the last five years, where fall enrollment has declined, and we anticipate that again this year," Symmes Valley Superintendent Thomas Ben said.

Job availability is a key factor in determining the number of students sitting in a yellow bus come late August – and the region has lost a lot of jobs this year.

"Enrollment has been going down all over the county, probably around 100 students or so a year," County Superintendent Harold Shafer said. "The situation with Ironton Iron and Cabletron will have an effect this coming year … and I think enrollment will probably be down because a lot of jobs were lost."

Ironton is not the only district that will have fewer students this year because of lost plants and jobs. The steady decline in student enrollment within Lawrence County has been a general trend over the last five years, Shafer said.

School superintendents are optimistic about the future of the Lawrence County’s bread and butter, despite recent economic cutbacks.

"It’s hard to project," Dawson-Bryant Superintendent James Payne, said. "In the long term, I think (enrollment) is going to be associated with (potential) business opportunities within the area."

The attractiveness of Lawrence County’s rural community and the potential for development and economic growth lead many superintendents to speculate about more businesses and families coming into the area.

"We foresee down the road, within the next seven to 10 years, there will be a population increase, just the way the trends are with people moving in rural areas – property availability, facilities and recreational amenities that are attractive to families," Ben said.

This anticipated economic growth will directly link to an increase in student enrollment.

"I think a lot of businesses will be coming in and when that happens enrollment will level off or increase slightly," Shafer said. "I believe businesses will locate here because we have a strong workforce. People need jobs and they’re willing to work."

However, atracting more business to Lawrence County is not the only factor in getting student enrollment up to par.

Loyalty to the school, course availability, technology, kindness of the staff, athletic programs and the overall student-teacher atmosphere all tie together in attracting more students, Payne said.

Hopefully, area schools will maintain a reputation of excellence, which will keep students in Lawrence County.

County schools have several projects that require all districts to participate and work together, Shafer said.

"We have a lot of co-op programs for special (education) kids," Shafer said. "In addition, we hired 10 social workers last spring. And it’s not just schools. We’re talking about Human Services and all of the county agencies working together on many projects."

Lawrence County schools seize every opportunity to keep up with programs in other counties and states – anything to provide a better education for the students, Payne said.

"If we think there’s something out there that’s beneficial we jump in and do it," he said. "If you’re not giving the students opportunities that other places provide, they’re going to leave."