WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. September 3, 2008 UPDATED 7:05 P.M. E.D.T.: White Plains schools open Thursday morning, expecting a projected enrollment of 7,123  students from Pre-K through high school, 5% ahead of previous long term projections for 2008-2009.  The enrollment level of 7,000 students was not anticipated to be approached until 2010-11, according to school projections in 2005, when it was estimated by Bishop Associates to be 6,914. Now White Plains has bypassed that level three years earlier than expected

WPCNR notes that previously issued long-term district projections predicted the White Plains District as having 6,775 students in 2008-2009, as follows – 2,800 in k to 5, 1,400 in Middle School and 2,000 in the high school, and 575 in Special Education.

The projection for 2008-2009,  according to the school calendar just published shows  the population of K Through 5, Middle School and High School  running 5% ahead of that projection, in the grade schools, Middle and High Schools at 6,620 plus 215 enrolled in alternative programs, 198 in PreK and 90 in Out-0f-District programs for a total of 7,123. This is a 5% increase in enrollment from previously projected  – the bulk of that coming in Pre-K, or course.

Three years ago (2006-2007) the White Plains enrollment was 6,784 students. Last year, the total was 7,041, an increase of 4% in enrollment  and the projection for 08-09 is 7,123, a 1.1% increase. 

A slight worry.

If the district continues to miss its previous projections by a 5% margin the enrollment in the White Plains Schools will reach 9,543 students by 2014-2015, raising the spectre of the need for one new elementary school, in addition to the new Post Road School now being built, and perhaps another addition to the high school if the projections of the school continue to be 5% off.

 The projection for 08-09 was 6,775 students which was reached two years ago in 2006-2007. The projection fo 2014-15 by the school projections assumes flat growth in enrollments at Middle School and High School, with an increase of 300 students at the elementary level to a total of 7,400 students by 2014-15. 

Actual enrollment figures will not be available until October, according to Michele Schoenfeld.

So far this year,  elementary Schools enrollment is up by 42 students (1.3%). High School enrollment is down by about 11 students. Middle School is down by 16. Alternative Program, PreK and Out-of-District Placement students is up by 16 students.

By now all parents should have received their school bus notifications from the district. Bus transportation is provided up through eighth grade. The cost per one way trip by bus to the high school has increased from $1.25 to $1.50 per trip, with a 20 “One Way” trip booklet available for high school students for $23, up from $20 last year.

WPCNR MILESTONES. Special to WPCNR September 1, 2008:  White Plains resident Richard Biondi died at age 64 last week, August 27,  as a result of pancreatic cancer. He was Senior Vice President at White Plains Hospital and handled community relations. He previously was with Verizon, New York Medical College and General Foods. He had been very active in Westchester and the White Plains community for many years. In the past, he served on the White Plains Cable Television Commission, was Chairman of the White Plains City Charter Revision Commission during the Del Vecchio administration, was Chairman of the Board of the County Chamber of Commerce, and was President of the Parish Council at Our Lady of Sorrows, among others.