Nanaimo school district student enrolment for the 2014-15 school year has fallen short of a January projection.
The school district estimated that approximately 13,150 full-time equivalent students would be enrolled for the current school year, but according to preliminary numbers, the figure will be about 12,913.
Elementary class numbers for 2014-15 total 7,597 full-time equivalent students, which varied slightly from the initial forecast of 7,654. The difference in secondary schools was greater however, as the number of full-time equivalents was 4,814, down from the projection of about 5,041.
Despite the numbers, the school district budget shouldn’t be affected, according to Phil Turin, secretary-treasurer.
“We’re under funding protection, so basically any shortfalls will be covered by that and so we’ll be OK for this year. The funding will be the same,” Turin said.
He said the school district will also be under funding protection in 2015-16, but that is likely the last year and the school district is in the process of examining why there is a drop.
Families moving out of the area, school closures and the teachers’ strike are some of the possible reasons, said Turin.
Final numbers will come from the Ministry of Education near the end of the school year.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com