USD 383 has 131 more students this year than last, according to a preliminary head count the first day of school (Tuesday). A total of 6,726 students showed up the first day, compared to 6,595 on the September 20th count date the year before and 6,341 in 2010.
USD 383 Associate Superintendent Bob Seymour admits he did not expect the decrease at the elementary school level, although he stresses the head count numbers are just preliminary.
Seymour adds things change and the numbers as students are going through tend to get larger, with larger kindergarten classes eventually moving up to the high school level.
Seymour describes the numbers as encouraging though, with increases in the secondary level and holding their own in the elementary level.