SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2012

E N R O L L M E N T I N N . Y. S C H O O L S

Many empty seats in the classroom

DICK'S SPORTING GOODS OPEN

Huston on verge of repeat

John Huston tees off on the 17th hole Saturday at the Dicks Sporting Goods Open. KRISTOPHER RADDER / PHOTO PROVIDED

Sindelar cools down after hot first round

Attendance at public schools declines by nearly 19,000; Southern Tier ranks among hardest hit areas in state
By Jessica Bakeman
jbakeman@gannett.com

Staff Reports

BY THE NUMBERS

ALBANY Student enrollment at public schools statewide has decreased by nearly 19,000 students since the 2008-09 academic year, and full-time faculty and professional staff have been reduced at a faster rate, losing more than 13,000 workers. Enrollment was down 0.7 percent between 2008-09 and 2010-11, the most recent available data year a loss of 18,657 students. Some counties lost as much as nearly 7 percent of their student bodies over the three academic years, according to state Education Department data reviewed by Gannetts Albany Bureau. On a statewide basis, thats not a huge shift youre looking at (a total of) about 2.7 million students statewide, said Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, a policy group. But in some districts, that could be pretty hard. The areas hit hardest by enrollment declines are in western New York and the Southern Tier, while New York City and adjacent counties experienced growth. The enrollment trends are consistent with overall population shifts. The number of full-time professional employees, including teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, school nurses, psychologists and other

18,657 13,015

Broome-area families moves linked to job cuts contribute to drop-offs

By Jennifer Micale
jmicale@gannett.com

New York public schools lost this many students between 2008-09 and 2010-11. Schools cut this many full-time professional employees during the same time period.

$805 million 75%

State aid to public schools has increased by this much this year. A typical school district spends this percentage of its budget on personnel.

4.6% 3.1%

The enrollment decline in Broome County since 2009. The professional staff reduction in Broome during the same period.

ON PAGE 6A
See a chart showing enrollment numbers for Broome, Chenango and Tioga counties.

Broome Countys population has been inching downward through the years and, with it, the number of school children. Regional job losses have contributed: some of the areas biggest companies, such as Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Lockheed Martin, IBM and BAE Systems, have cut jobs in recent years. In Broome districts, between 200809 and 2010-11, enrollment has dropped by 4.6 percent, or 1,398 students. In Tioga districts, it has dropped by 2.1 percent, or 170 students. For the Binghamton City School District, the largest district in Broome, enrollment dropped by 3.8 percent, or 239 students, during that time span. Enrollment for 2010-11 was 5,977. For the Union-Endicott school district, the second-largest district, enrollment dropped by 6.9 percent, or 306 students, during the same period. Enrollment for 2010-11 was 4,157. The largest percentage drop in
See CHANGES, Page 6A

ENDICOTT Golf is about taking advantage of opportunities and that is exactly what John Huston did Saturday at En-Joie Golf Course. The 51-year-old shot a 5-under-par 67 in the second round and is in position to defend his title at the Dicks Sporting Goods Open, entering today with a oneshot lead. I took advantage of most of the good chances I had, Huston said. Anytime youre near the lead, youre feeling like you have a chance. Huston began his day like most of the Champions Tour event field completing his first round, which was suspended Friday afternoon because of rain. He vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with an eagle on his first hole, sinking a 30-yard chip on No. 16. Brad Faxon, who won the PGA Tour B.C. Open at En-Joie in 1999, is one shot back after a round of 66. Horseheads native Joey Sindelar was unable to maintain a torrid start. He shot a 5-under 67 in his first round in the morning, then slipped to a 1-under 71 in the second round. At 6-under 138, Sindelar heads into todays final round in a six-way tie for 13th place.

IN SPORTS
Look ahead at what to expect in todays final round, 1F. Mark OMeara stays patient on a long Saturday, 6F. Monday qualifiers Dick Mast, Willie Wood among the leaders, 6F. Scores going into the third round, 7F. More photos at www.press connects.com/photogalleries.

See SCHOOLS, Page 6A

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