Returning students must register for school

MAT-SU -- In a change from previous years, all returning students in the Mat-Su Borough must reregister for classes this year. Returning students were previously reregistered automatically for the next school year, but due to enrollment discrepancies two years ago, the district is now required by the state to physically reregister all returning students.

Kim Floyd, school information officer for the Mat-Su Borough School District, said that with the old system if a student did not show up for 10 days after school began, and there was no communication with the parent for 10 days after school began, the district would drop the student from enrollment.

Floyd said some schools are concerned that parents are not aware of the new changes.

"We're seeing a lot of new students but not a lot of returning students," Floyd said.

Enrollment week continues through the end of Friday, and Floyd said parents should call their schools to find out what times enrollment takes place.

Those who miss enrollment deadlines can still enroll later, but the district is pushing to get accurate student counts as soon as possible so they can shift staffing to deal with potentially larger student populations than projected.

The district conservatively projected a districtwide enrollment of 14,393 students, but expects to see more by the time registration is completed.

Parents should bring immunization updates for returning students and all new students need immunization records and birth certificates at registration.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.