Officials forecast fewer new pupils

Following a recent trend of slowed growth, Columbia County school officials expect the system's enrollment to increase by just 261 pupils next school year.

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This year, the school system grew by 283 pupils for a total of 22,055. That is about 200 pupils less than officials expected, they said during a Tuesday school board meeting.

Overall, officials are projecting a pupil enrollment of 22,316 for the 2009-10 school year.

Officials use pupil populations to help set the system's annual budget. This year's budget is about $176 million, Deputy Superintendent Sandra Carraway said.

In other meeting news:

- School trustees approved a $473,122 bid by Martinez-based Young's Roofing and Paint to reroof Evans Elementary School and the kitchen roof of Martinez Elementary School.

- Columbia County pupils rank above the national average on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, according to system data. Elementary pupils rated 22 percent and 15 percent higher than the national average in reading and math tests, respectively. Middle school pupils rated 9 percent and 12 percent higher in reading and math, respectively.

- Trustees hope to meet with their Richmond County counterparts on Nov. 6 at the home of Fort Gordon's commander, Brig. Gen. Jeff Foley, Superintendent Charles Nagle said.

Nagle said he hopes to discuss common concerns, budgets and the upcoming state legislative session with Richmond County school board members at the meeting.