Enrollment figures show slight decline for SAD 70

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HODGDON — Enrollment for SAD 70 is slowly declining, but the good news is that downward trend should level off in the coming years. According to Superintendent Robert McDaniel, enrollment in the district has slowly been declining over the past few years, but that trend may not continue.
    “After looking at the elementary level, we should start to level out,” McDaniel said. “Of course the concern is economics. Down the road, it may be tough to get programs. Essentially, the more students you have, the more money you get from the state.”
    In total, there are 524 students enrolled in SAD 70.
    The high school has been hit the hardest with decreasing numbers. Last year, the high school had nearly 180 students, while this year there are 168 students enrolled — a 6.7 percent decrease. As of Oct. 13, there were 39 freshmen students, 31 sophomores, 45 juniors and 53 seniors.
    In order to combat declining enrollments, McDaniel said his district, along with SAD 25 (Katahdin) and CSD 9 (Southern Aroostook) are exploring ways to share resources.
    “We’re looking at ways to work together and who knows, maybe we’ll be able to share programs down the road,” McDaniel said. “It’s been a gradual decline for the past few years, but I think we will level out at the 160 level for the high school.”
    Enrollment at the Mill Pond Elementary School appears to be the stable, with 356 students currently enrolled. There are 24 pre-kindergarten students, 33 kindergarten, 40 first-graders, 42 second-graders, 21 third-graders, 40 fourth-graders, 42 fifth-graders, 35 sixth-graders, 42 seventh-graders and 37 eighth-graders.
    “The Elementary figures have been up around the mid-300s for quite a while,” McDaniel said.