10-day count shows fewer students than expected in Manatee District schools

BRADENTON -- The big number is in.

As of Friday, there were 47,633 students in Manatee County School District seats -- up 480 from the same time last year, but falling short of the 1,000-student increase district officials predicted for the first 10 days.

"Our general thought was between 750 and 1,000. It's a little under our projection," said Cynthia Saunders, deputy superintendent of instruction.

Students will continue to enroll through September and even as late as October, officials said. With the

10-day count in, officials can begin looking to see which schools may need more teachers to handle the number of students.

After the 10-day count in the 2014-15 school year, the district transferred about 22 teachers and hired 28 teachers. Last year's 10-day count reflected an increase of 1,195 students compared with the previous year.

Districts are required to do a count after five days of school and again after 10 days. Districts are also required to count students in October.

After five days in 2014-15, the district had 46,807 students enrolled. After five days this year, the district had 47,431 students enrolled, an increase of 624 students.

After 10 days in 2014-15, the district had 47,153 students enrolled. After 10 days this year, the district has 47,633 students enrolled, an increase of 480 students.

Saunders said the district expected higher kindergarten and elementary school numbers.

Meetings were started Friday to see where teachers may be shifted to make sure the district stays within state class-size compliance. And because of gains in middle and high school, the district may need to budget a few more positions.

"It does look like we might need to hire a few folks in secondary," she said. Overcrowding and capacity is one area of focus as the county continues to grow and the school district looks for ways to pay for new schools. A company is working with the district to help analyze growth trends and recommend where to build new schools. No new schools are in the works.

Here's a look at schools gaining and losing the most students when comparing the 10-day count to 2014-15.

Gullett Elementary in Lakewood Ranch enrolled 114 more students up to 759.

Daughtrey Elementary in Bradenton enrolled 76 fewer students down to 681.

Overall, the district enrolled 64 more elementary students when comparing year-to-year 10-day counts.

Harllee Middle in Bradenton enrolled 25 more students up to 440.

Sugg Middle in Bradenton enrolled 77 fewer students down to 696.

Overall, the district enrolled 197 fewer middle school students when comparing year-to-year 10-day counts.

Southeast High School in Bradenton enrolled 213 more students up to 1671.

Manatee High School in Bradenton enrolled 73 fewer students down to 2,367. Manatee still boasts the largest enrollment in the county.

Overall, the district enrolled 265 more high school students through 10 days of the school year.

Schools classified as specials, including PACE Center for Girls and Florida Virtual School, enrolled 57 more students.

District charter schools enrolled 446 additional students.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published September 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "10-day count shows fewer students than expected in Manatee District schools."