One School District’s Response to Declining Enrollment

Sam Kirk is the Director of Finance and Operations at Armstrong School District in western Pennsylvania. As industry has dwindled, student enrollment in the district has taken a hit as well.

In this episode of Field Trip, Sam shares his experience grappling with the financial realities these things bring to the district, and how they’ve started a new cyber school to compete for students that may otherwise have left. Plus, he shares how he’s creating transparency around district finances to keep the community informed and in agreement — even when it makes consolidating schools.

Listen now to hear:

• How Sam uses data to educate community members, gain buy-in, and have productive conversations about emotional issues like school closures

• Why starting a cyber school was key for supporting the district’s bottom line

• How the Finance Department approaches staffing decisions when enrollment drops

• Better understand enrollment shifts with location-based data: How Frontline’s Location Analytics can provide a better picture of enrollment at the district and building levels.
• Video: Business Analytics at Mansfield Independent School District: How the Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance explores enrollment history, per-student cost vs. academic outcomes, and school budgets over time.