WHEELING — Ohio County Schools reports the number of students being registered for kindergarten next fall is down by about 90 students so far, and that could dictate some changes in staffing.

Current pre-kindergarten classes — those students entering kindergarten in the fall — already have a smaller number of students than last year, according to Karin Butyn, public relations director for Ohio County Schools.

“As they approach kindergarten age, that drop in number can be attributed to it just being a smaller birth year, or to a loss of students attributed to Hope Scholarships,” she explained. “Unfortunately, when that drops, we have to make sure staffing aligns with the children we have.

“Whenever there is a drop in enrollment, there are no easy or happy fixes. We will continue to do everything we can to promote Ohio County Schools.”

Ohio County Schools reports current 2024-25 kindergarten enrollment across the school district at 339 students. Students registrations for kindergarten in the fall presently are at 247, representing a projected 92 fewer students.

It’s expected at least five fewer kindergarten teachers will be needed next year in Ohio County Schools. The five kindergarten teaching positions are among the 11 Ohio County Schools has announced they may eliminate or transition for the next school year.

But kindergarten enrollment does seem to fluctuate from year to year.

Numbers from the West Virginia Department of Education show that during the 2023-24 school year, kindergarten enrollment was 366; in 2022-23, 405; in 2021-22, 375; and in 2020-21, 414.

Overall enrollment in Ohio County Schools dropped by nearly 200 students between 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years – from 4,903 to 4,719 total students in grades pre-K through 12.

In 2017, the number of students enrolled in the school district was 5,269.

Butyn does expect the number of kindergarten students to increase for the 2026-27 school year. That is because this year’s pre-K registrations are up about 20% – from about 240 students last year to about 300 students at present.

Pre-K registration is not mandatory for students, though children are required to attend kindergarten classes in West Virginia.

Efforts are being made by the school district to increase awareness of its kindergarten programs among those who might be considering private or parochial school. Steenrod Elementary School recently posted on Facebook a call out to the community regarding its expected kindergarten enrollment.

“With our current numbers we will only have one kindergarten next year,” the posting stated. “Help us spread the word to families you know in the Steenrod district with children who will be 5 years old by July 1. We would love for them to come and see what a great school we have.”

The school is planning an open house for incoming kindergarten students from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 1.

Ohio County Schools, meanwhile, will host its first “Tiny Patriots” program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5 at the Ohio County Public Library. Those invited are children ages 0-4 and their families.

The gathering is intended as a reach out to toddlers who will be attending Ohio County Schools and their families, and will provide them a chance to meet the school district’s teacher and staff.

Downstairs there will be community resource booths with information about Ohio County Schools early childhood programming, the Birth to Three program, and offerings from WVU Medicine, the Science of Reading, Communities in Schools, Head Start, and Oglebay Institute. Representatives from Wheeling Heritage and West Virginia Northern Community College also are expected to be present.

Upstairs, there will be fun activities geared toward little people, and these take place on a half hour rotation, according to Karin Butyn, public relations director for Ohio County Schools.

“The drop in enrollment does reflect a need to cut back staff, and this could be devastating to everyone,” Butyn said. “No one wants to lose a good teacher. It’s awful.

“We will continue to enroll kids as long as we can. If someone is on the fence, we will be willing to meet with them and show them what we have to offer,” she added.