By JIM BUTLER

Enrollment in parish public schools is expected to continue to decline in the next academic year.

The School Board will consider staffing recommendations at its meeting next Tuesday.

Student counts have been declining for a decade statewide, a trend attributed to overall population loss, fewer school age children and growth in home schooling.

Statewide, public school enrollment is down 5 percent over the past four  years and, according to the state Department of Education, enrollment statewide is 140,000 fewer than in 2000.

Rapides is down about 3 percent since 2021-22, according to data to be reviewed next week.

Projected Minimum Foundation Program pupil count is 20,090, compared to 20,432 for the current year.

MFP is the formula under which the state financially assists schools on a per student basis. Currently the payment is about $4,000 per student.

The staffing recommendation for the board’s consideration is for 1,591 teachers (not counting pre-k), 50 fewer than this school year.

Overall student-teacher ratio would continue below set limits, the recommendation notes.

The number of paraprofessionals would grow to 424 from the current 410.

More definitive program for exceptional students services as well as more interventional behavioral support is also envisioned.