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Ohio County Schools saw total enrollment drop slightly more than 1 percent since this time last year, according to data Superintendent Kim Miller provided board of education members Monday evening.
There were 5,268 students enrolled across the district on Aug. 31, compared to 5,332 on Sept. 1, 2016. Six of the county's public schools saw enrollment increases, while seven experienced declines.
Miller, noting that enrollment fluctuation from year to year is nothing new, said she doesn't find the numbers to be cause for alarm. But she said they can be instructive for future conversations such as reconsidering the geographic boundaries that determine which students attend which schools.
"I think it's been years since we've taken a hard look at that," Miller said after the meeting.
Schools which saw enrollment increase over the last year were Bethlehem, Middle Creek, West Liberty and Woodsdale elementary schools; and Bridge Street and Triadelphia middle schools. Those which saw student population drop were Elm Grove, Madison, Ritchie and Steenrod elementary schools; Warwood School; Wheeling Middle School; and Wheeling Park High School.
In terms of percentage, Madison Elementary School saw the largest decline, dropping 7.2 percent from 275 students to 255. West Liberty Elementary School, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage increase, 5.8, going from 120 students to 127.
In other business, board of education member Christine Carder asked for an update on the Middle Creek Elementary roof project. Brian Harto, facilities and maintenance director for the district, said the job is "80 percent done."
With school now in session, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal -- the contractor for the $415,000 project -- is working only on weekends, but Harto said rainy weather has slowed progress. He noted the project remains on budget.
Bridge Street Middle School Principal Joseph Kolb also told board members that the school's teachers have raised a total of $113,636 since 2011 from donorschoose.org, which matches donors with classrooms in need. The funding has paid for new instruments and equipment for the school's band, Chromebook labs, reading resources, stand-up desks and more.
Julie Schultz, a teacher at the school who has raised more than $80,000 alone, added students have been getting in on the act, pitching projects for which the school can seek grants.
Bridge Street also has received grants to improve fruit consumption during lunch, provide students and staff with water bottles and purchase equipment for the school's archery program, Kolb said.
Wheeling Park High School teacher Gail Adams also spoke about the new "student life coordinator" initiative at the school, through which teachers are trying to enhance the student experience at the school. Projects thus far include tailgate parties for fall sporting events, creating "goodie bags" for students going off to various academic competitions and a new Twitter account, @wheelingparkhs.
A charity softball tournament also is planned for Oct. 21 at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Youth Sports Complex to benefit victims of Hurricane Harvey. John Marshall and Wheeling Central Catholic high schools as well as The Linsly School also will be invited to participate, Adams said.