By Judy Seifert (Contact / Staff Bio)
February 28, 2009 - 01:17 p.m. EST

TUSCOLA COUNTY — The number of students attending school in Michigan and Tuscola County is declining. Preliminary results of February’s Student Count Day reflect that, and the reason is pretty obvious to superintendents.

"People are leaving the state to look for jobs elsewhere. When they leave, their children go with them. It’s that simple," said Mayville Superintendent Bill Hartzel recently.

Second Wednesday or Count Day is important to school districts because the enrollment number is used to determine how much state aid ends up in their budgets.

Once called Fourth Friday, the number from February’s count will be blended with next fall’s count. The February count accounts for 25 percent of the figure, the fall count 75 percent.

Vassar schools lost 120 students between February 2008 and 2009. In Millington, 2008 numbers show approximately 1,575 students. In 2009 that number is 1,505. Reese shows a loss of 10 students, Mayville five students and Kingston is down six. Caro schools, kindergarten through 12th grade only, reflects a loss of nine students.

"These are just preliminary numbers," Hartzel explained. "School districts have until March to complete the paperwork. We use that time to track students who were sick or hospitalized on count day or simply not in school for one reason or another."

Akron-Fairgrove, Cass City and USA don’t have their numbers yet according to school administrators.

According to information provided by the Michigan Department of Education, student counts are down statewide and are attributed to the exodus of workers.

Hartzel said the upcoming fall 2009 will be crucial to districts.

"That’s when reality sets in," he added.