CC/E board encouraged by student number projections

Projected enrollment numbers made Clay Central/Everly board members crack a smile on July 28.

According to Superintendent Kevin Wood, the district is expecting 70 students in PK-6 grade for the 2021-22 school year, up from a previous estimate of 59. CC/E is offering full-day preschool this fall instead of half-day classes, which Wood thinks gave enrollment a boost.

"They are good numbers," he said. "We weren't sure where we were going to end up with last year's numbers. We won't know for sure until the first day of school, but it's good to see those numbers."

Last year's enrollment was 73. Projected grade-by-grade enrollment for 2021-22 is: PK, 10; kindergarten, 7; first grade, 5; second grade, 10; third grade, 8; fourth grade 13; fifth grade, 9; and sixth grade, 8.

In related news, Assistant Superintendent Jeff Scharn reported that all open positions have been filled.

"We got some really good hires and we're excited," he said.

• Board to stick by transportation policy

In other business, the board decided not to grant an exception for an elementary-age student to be picked up inside the district by a Sioux Central bus.

Citing board policy disallowing the arrangement, members felt allowing an exception would create a slippery slope for other families to do the same.

"Once you open up that door, you're going to get everybody knocking on the door," said board President Allison Goyette.

The request was presented to board members in May by Neil Joenks, of Rossie. He has an elementary-age daughter who is open enrolled to Sioux Central along with her older siblings. Since CC/E offers grades PK-6, she is not allowed to be picked up by Sioux Central's buses in Rossie, but her elder siblings are because CC/E does not offer grades 7-12.

Joenks, a recent widower, said he has limited support to take his daughter to school when his older children cannot drive her during inclement weather or when they need to attend extracurricular activities. He asked board members if they would allow an exemption for Sioux Central's bus to transport her to and from Sioux Rapids.

Board policy does not allow such arrangements, and members voted 4-1 to follow previous policy. Denny Dalen cast the lone dissention.

"I'm very, very torn about what's right in this situation," Dalen said. "We're tasked with running this [school district] as a business, and sometimes that's difficult. Nobody is going to win in this particular situation."

Board Member Allyn Heikens said CC/E had no choice but to deny Joenks' request.

"That person isn't the only one with hardships with open enrollment, but they chose to do it," she said. "I agree that he's in a tough situation. I agree with that. But there are probably some families that are in a similar situation and they've had to deal with it."

Goyette was also sympathetic to the situation, but voted to follow policy.

"Where do you draw the line?" she asked. "The fact of the matter lies in that when you open enroll out, you have to find your own personal transportation to that district. It's a tough case because you feel for the case, but if you let it happen, then it will spiral."