Enrollment in the Lucia Mar Unified School District appeared stable as the first day of classes drew to a close Monday, thanks to an unexpected influx of kindergartners, district officials said.

While the district as a whole experienced a slight decline, kindergarten enrollment swelled by 100 students from last year, Deputy Superintendent of Business Mary Stark said.

Most of the decline was concentrated at the junior and high school grade levels, as the primary grades experienced an increase in enrollment across the board.

“(Enrollment) was a little brighter than I had projected,” Stark said. “Of course, this is the first day and things could change” for better or for worse.

Overall, the approximately 11,000-student district - the largest in San Luis Obispo County - is down just 25 students from last year, Stark said.

However, at budget study sessions that took place as recently as June, Stark predicted the district would lose 90 students in 2008-2009, which would have translated into an approximate loss of $325,000 in average-daily-attendance money districts get for each enrolled student who shows up for class.

Stark said she had no solid explanation for the unexpectedly strong enrollment of elementary students, which did not affect K-3 class sizes, which remained at 20 or fewer students per class.

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“We have outstanding schools and the economy being what it is, perhaps maybe parents are making the choice to use the public schools,” she offered. However, in the end, “we're just really pleased that we're serving the children of the community.”

Shell Beach Elementary experienced one of the biggest influxes of kindergartners of any school in the district.

Last week, Shell Beach had to add a third kindergarten class and hire another kindergarten teacher in order to accommodate 64 kindergartners - 22 more students than the 42 school officials had originally planned for, Principal Rob Bergan said.

The new kindergartners “were all doing great” on their first day of school, Bergan added.

On Monday, Jane Antonson's kindergarten class at Dana Elementary School in Nipomo burst with activity as students settled down to color paper doll-like figures of girls and boys.

“They're settling in pretty well,” Antonson said as she surveyed the group.

Earlier, the kids had read aloud and sang songs, among other activities that filled their day.

Five-year-old Jordan Sowelt gave her paper figure a pink top and black pants, “because I'm wearing a pink shirt and black stretch pants,” she said, adding that kindergarten has been fun so far.

Solomon Fely said he felt happy when he woke up this morning.

“I was excited because it was my first time going to school,” the five-year-old said.

Solmon's favorite part of the day?

“I like to color because I like to see all different colors,” he said, following a brief moment of careful consideration.

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com.

August 26, 2008