By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Enrollment at Missouri's largest public school district has reached an all-time low. St. Louis Schools are now teaching fewer than 38,895 students and officials expect to lose more than 1,800 more next fall.
Enrollment was 52,000 in 1982. The school system says much of the enrollment decline is the result of people moving out of the City. But they also note competition from other schools, especially charter schools.
A ninth St. Louis charter school is set to open this fall.
Fewer students also means less money from Jefferson City because the school funding formula is based, in part, on enrollment.
Last year, a budget deficit led to layoffs and the closing of 16 city schools. Officials are now considering ways to save 23 million in the next budget.