Student enrolment continues to decline in Border Land School Division.
    
Superintendent Krista Curry said administrators predicted 2,086 full time equivalent students would register for school in 2017/18, however a final tally pegged that total at 2,077.5 FTE.

"From what we predicted to where we are is pretty insignificant, the change is eleven," noted Curry.

And while the number is well within expectations, she did say that overall enrolment in Border Land is down about 30 students from last school year.

"When you have sixteen sites, being down thirty kids really is two kids per school if you averaged it out, which isn't significant, but when you add it all together it adds up," explained Curry.

She added that most of the student decreases have occurred in the rural areas around Altona and believes it's because people are having smaller families, or are sending their kids to local private schools.

That being said, Curry did note that for the first time in about six or seven years, over 300 students are enrolled this year at Ecole Elmwood School in Altona.

"That's a great sign that our elementary school in this area is growing," she said.

Another hint of healthy growth at the school are the 30 kids enrolled in the French Immersion Kindergarten program for 2017/18.

In fact, Curry admitted that there isn't enough room at Ecole Elmwood School to accommodate the large class. She explained Border Land has received permission from Manitoba Education to move a vacant portable classroom from W.C. Miller Collegiate to Ecole Elmwood School.

"When we get that portable relocated we will split the class and hire a second teacher. In the meantime the Board has given approval and we've had an E.A. support in there since the first week of school," noted Curry.