By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The Rowan-Salisbury School System plans to hire two more teachers due to higher than anticipated enrollment figures at Bostian and Woodleaf elementary schools.
Delores Morris, assistant superintendent of human resources, told the school board’s personnel and finance sub-committee Wednesday, that Woodleaf has 16 more students than projected at about 415.
She said although Bostian has a dozen fewer students overall than expected at more than 320, there’s been an influx of children in lower grades, where class sizes are capped at 24 students.
The teaching positions are being advertised on the district’s website at www.rss.k12.nc.us under the employment page.
Rockwell Elementary began the school year with 40 more students than anticipated for a total of about 510. But Morris said they don’t need an additional teacher because the growth has occurred in higher grades.
“It was a real surprise they were up by 40 students,” she said.
Another surprise, Morris said, was that both Hanford-Dole and Hurley elementary schools were down by about 30 students to about 460 and 590, respectively.
“I don’t know where those students are,” Morris said. “Maybe they’ll show up, we’ll keep watching those numbers.”
Knollwood is the elementary school with the most students on the books at more than 700 and Mt. Ulla has the fewest at more than 310.
There are 32 fewer students at Knox Middle now than originally estimated for an enrollment of about 575.
Erwin Middle has seen a similar trend with 23 less students than anticipated for an enrollment of 915. The school boosts the largest student body among the district’s middle schools.
North has the fewest student among middle schools at about 505.
Salisbury High has 26 more students enrollment than estimated. The school has a student body of about 910, the lowest of a traditional .
Thirty fewer students are enrolled at South Rowan than expected for a total of more than 990.
Carson High, the district’s newest school that opened in 2006, has the highest enrollment at 1,150. That’s 18 students more than anticipated.
With a student body of about 725 students, North Rowan has the smallest enrollment among high schools. The school has nine more students on the books than anticipated.
Overall, the district has 98 fewer students that expected at 19,958. The school system has 121 less students than projected by the state Department of Public Instruction.
Morris said firmer enrollment figures will be available after the 10th an 20th days of school.
The numbers she presented to the sub-committee Wednesday reflect sixth-day enrollment trends.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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