Poor projections by the FLDOE means less money to educate more kids.

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http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_educ...rojections.html

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State was WAY off on enrollment projections

New numbers out from the Florida Department of Education show that state officials were way off on their enrollment projections for public schools this year.

Officials had projected a drop of 10,00o students, but ended up with about 12,300 more than they expected. Grand total: 2,620,317.

As a result,there will be less state money to go around. That’s because the state does not provide exta cash for schools when enrollment exceeds expectations, but just gives smaller helpings of cash out of the soup pot.

The miscalculation might be excused by some because student enrollment has been in such flux in recent years. The poor economy has caused many districts to lose students as families move away, including Seminole and Volusia, which are still in decline.

Statewide, this year 39 districts showed continuing declines in enrollment, with only 28 showing increases. Among the biggest losers were Miami-Dade, Pinellas and Volusia counties. Districts with declining enrollments do get some extra state money to help cover the loss, but officials say it is a token compared to the dollars they don’t get from the state.