One North Country school district is booming
Last week, we blogged about the closure of another North Country school, in Saranac Lake. Declining enrollment is a problem across the region, as the population ages.
But the Indian River district is booming, thanks in large measure to growth at Fort Drum. This from the Watertown DailyTimes:
The district’s population is growing, and officials project that the population will continue to grow into the 2011-12 school year. The district’s current enrollment is 4,200 students.
Based on the current student population and construction on and around Fort Drum, the projected enrollment for next school year is 4,488 students.
To put it in context, that growth is larger than some entire school districts in the region. According to the newspaper, the district may add as many as 36 staff positions next year. Read the full article here.
Tags: adirondacks, education
Yes, growing for the moment. And although there is chatter about a housing demand boom when troops return, few put that thought against the RIF that is coming soon. Reduction in FUNDS. The military needs to cut the rate of growth financially. Non-replacement of soldiers, lower recruitment quotas thus fewer families. The carpet under Indian River will get jerked. Anyone taking a job at Indian River under these conditions needs to plan accordingly. Save for their own re-deployment when IR needs to downsize. Just a few months ago the announcement was made of major downsizing and re-location of a military management facility near D.C. on the Virginia side as part of the financial downsizing needs. Last week the report was out to reduce military needs by $75 billion. It is not unreasonable to expect an across the board reduction of forces by 15 to 25% as Afganistan is drawn down. In 8 years Indian River could be at 3800 students.
Not surprising…..We live in a militarized economy here in the north eastern portion of the North Country. As goes Fort Drum, so goes the rest of us. And the Indian River district is in the heart of it all. Carthage Central, Watertown High, etc., even some districts in nearby Lewis County will experience some growth as the new brigade moves in and current troops return from the Middle East.