SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Community School Corp. is expecting to lose more students and more funding next school year, as projected in its 2020 Budget.
The budget was presented as part of a public hearing during Monday’s school board meeting
Jenise Palmer, budget director, said the district’s education and operations funds are projecting to see combined revenue loss of nearly $17 million next school year.
With $140.3 million budgeted in the education fund, which includes salaries and benefits, technology for students and educational support, the district predicts it will spend nearly $130.8 million. These funds are affected by student enrollment, Palmer said.
Currently, South Bend schools’ fall enrollment is down by nearly 700 students, resulting in a $4.7 million loss of state tuition support.
Palmer said she has worked with a consultant who predicts enrollment numbers will continue to drop into next school year. By February’s enrollment count, the district anticipates it will lose 200 more students. By next September’s count, 300 students are expected to be gone.
South Bend schools spokeswoman Susan Guibert said each student brings $6,867 of state tuition support.
The 500 student drop could result in about a $3.5 million loss.
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