PCS enrollment up by 19

Enrollment in Perkins County Schools for the 2021-22 school year jumped by 19 students. This year’s enrollment for preschool through 12th grade stands at 440 students. 

This compares to 2020-21 enrollment of 421 and 414 for both the 2019-20 and 2018-19 school years. 

Over the past 10 years, enrollment  has held over 400, with this year’s enrollment the highest of those 10 years. 

In a comparison of boys and girls enrolled in grades PK-12, girls outnumber the boys by 10, 225 vs. 215. 

That same comparison holds true for PK-6th grade and grades 7-12. 

The largest class in the elementary is the third grade, which stands at 38 with 16 boys and 22 girls. 

In the junior high and high school grades, this year’s freshman class is the largest, also at 38, with the boys and girls split evenly at 19.

9, 10, 11 enrollment

The Nebraska School Activities Association uses enrollment of girls and boys in grades 9, 10 and 11 to determine classifications for sports. 

This year, the boys’ number stands at 40. The girls’ number stands at 46. Both of those enrollment numbers will put Perkins County teams in Class C2 for volleyball and basketball. 

For a full breakdown of this year’s enrollment, along with previous years’ enrollment, subscribe by calling the Tribune at 308-352-4311 or sign up for an e-edition by clicking here.

Borman hired for music

During their Sept. 14 meeting, School board members approved the hiring of former sixth grade teacher Kristin Borman to assist with K-4 music. 

The district went into the year short a music teacher. Superintendent Phillip Picquet said her hiring will help take some of the load off music teacher Jasmine Lehl. 

In addition to teaching music in the afternoon, Borman will also assist in reading and language arts interventions and enrichments in the late morning. 

Picquet said her hiring will provide a big benefit for students and the district. 

In other action, the board approved their budget and tax request following a hearing prior to the meeting. 

The school’s tax request will only increase $69,697 from last year’s tax asking, representing a 1.1% increase. 

The board approved a one-year lease of a Bobcat Toolcat from Titan Machinery for $5,700.  The engine in the school’s skid steer is going bad and all the tools of the current skid steer will fit on the Toolcat. 

The board declared the old skid steer as surplus equipment. It will be sold on an online auction site. 

The board also gave Picquet the authority to pursue the purchase of a used coach bus to be used for activities.

Picquet said he’s looking for a used unit with moderate miles, 50-56 seats, at or under $275,000.

He said if he found a unit, he would call a special  meeting to approve the purchase.