School census counts 719

Grand Coulee Dam School District had 719 students for its official start-of-the-year count last Thursday.

That’s about a full classroom more than the district had at its first day count last September.

The official count was 719 students. This shook down to 712.71 “full time equivalent” students, since some are only part time.

Still, it was an abrupt increase as new facilities attracted new students.

The secondary wing, the senior and junior high, had 330 students; the elementary wing had 389.

The totals were down from the initial opening day Sept. 15, when the total count was 744. A fairly large swing in numbers is somewhat typical, and fluctuates until families settle in as to where they want their children to attend school.

The Sept. 15 opening was some two to three weeks later than the normal starting date since district officials determined that they didn’t want to start school in one place, then move students a couple weeks later to the new school complex.

District and construction officials, who had set Oct.10, as the finishing date on the new school, worked effectively in cutting nearly three weeks off the construction schedule by the way work was scheduled.

The public got to see the new school during tours Friday, Sept. 12, and it was a “go” for students on the 15th.

Secretaries from both sides of the facility reported that things were going well and that everyone seemed happy.

The increase in students was absorbed in normal classes and didn’t overcrowd existing classrooms.