Strasburg C-3 School District

OPEN ENROLLMENT POWER POINT

Open enrollment policies may appear to offer families greater choice, but they pose significant challenges for the Strasburg C-3 School District and its community. While some students may benefit from transferring to other districts, open enrollment has profound negative consequences for the students who remain, the district's financial health, and community cohesion.

1. Financial Strain and Loss of Resources

●     Reduced Funding for Strasburg C-3 Students: When a student leaves Strasburg C-3 for another district, the state funding allocated for that student follows them, reducing the financial resources available for students who remain in Strasburg. This loss directly impacts educational programs, staffing, and services.

●     Increased Transportation Costs: If Strasburg C-3  is required to provide transportation for non-resident students, it would further strain financial resources. This comes at a time when the district is already managing rising operational costs, including teacher salary increases and other mandated expenses.

●     Financial Planning Challenges: Open enrollment creates budgeting uncertainties. Strasburg C-3 may need to hold more money in reserve to account for fluctuating enrollment. This could result in stagnant teacher salaries and delayed investment in educational improvements. Additionally, open enrollment decisions are finalized after Strasburg C-3 has already issued staff contracts, leading to potential staffing imbalances.

2. Threat to Local Schools and Community Identity

●     School Consolidation Risks: The loss of students from Strasburg C-3 increases the risk of school closure or consolidation.

●     Loss of Community Support: Residents who send their children to schools outside Strasburg are less likely to support local ballot measures, such as tax increases, that fund Strasburg. This can undermine the district’s ability to maintain and enhance educational programs for the students who remain.

●     Diminished Parent Involvement: When families send their children to other districts, they are less likely to engage with Strasburg activities, volunteer opportunities, and school governance. This weakens the community fabric that supports student success.

3. Unfair Competition and Resource Diversion

●     Marketing Over Education: Open enrollment pits public schools against one another, forcing districts to spend valuable resources on advertising and recruitment rather than classroom instruction. This shifts funding away from student learning and into competitive marketing campaigns.

●     Creation of "Sports Powerhouses": With open enrollment, certain districts may focus on building elite athletic programs to attract students. This not only drains funding from educational priorities but also creates inequities in student opportunities.

4. Operational and Legal Complexities

●     Administrative Burden: Open enrollment imposes significant administrative requirements, including mandatory audits, application reviews, and appeals processes. This diverts time and resources from Strasburg’s core mission of providing quality education.

●     Special Education Concerns: Districts cannot deny enrollment based on their ability to meet a student’s special education needs, this opens the door to potential legal challenges. Federal special education laws are complex and evolving, placing districts in a vulnerable position.

5. Long-Term Risks to Local Control

●     Voluntary Today, Mandatory Tomorrow: Although current proposals frame open enrollment as voluntary, there is a strong likelihood that future legislation will mandate district participation. This would strip Strasburg of the ability to make decisions in the best interest of its students and community.

●     Erosion of Local Governance: Over time, open enrollment policies could expand further, reducing Strasburg’s authority over its student body and diminishing local decision-making power.

Conclusion

Open enrollment threatens the financial stability, community identity, and educational quality of the Strasburg C-3 School District. While proponents argue it offers families more choice, the long-term consequences would harm the students who remain, diminish local support, and create operational challenges for the district. It is critical to advocate against open enrollment to protect Strasburg's ability to provide high-quality education and maintain strong community ties.

Thank you for your support and advocacy of public education!

Dr. Chrystal Mayfield

Superintendent

Strasburg C-3 School District