MONROE - The Monroe school district will make a more dedicated effort to keep students in the district with a new $15,000 advertising budget approved by the school board earlier this month.
"I'm all for it," board treasurer Brian Keith said of an effort to encourage enrollment. "I think it's time for us to reduce our differential between open enrollments in and open enrollment out. And, you know, if other districts around us think that they can provide a better education and they're willing to advertise or willing to push, I think it's time for us to really show how good of a district we truly have."
Administrators and board members have previously discussed the problem of losing students to other districts in the area - a problem that comes with a funding cut. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, for each student this year who chooses to enroll in a district other than the one in which they reside, the resident district will have to pay an estimated $6,750 to the chosen district.
Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, said current staff could promote the district with targeted advertising on Facebook and place radio ads at a "minimal cost" but noted that other types of advertising will cost more.
"I think the key is we have enough good information, good data, a good story to tell that we really don't have to go on the attack in any way," Monroe said. He suggested they promote the positive things happening in the district and celebrate "great relationships" and families who feel their needs are being addressed.
On Jan. 9, the board unanimously approved a budget of up to $15,000 to be used for enrollment efforts; member Amy Bazley was absent. That cost will more than pay for itself if at least three students stay in or transfer to Monroe as a result.
At the board's request, District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said she will contact School Perceptions, a research firm, to conduct an open enrollment survey. The survey would be intended to determine why some families in Monroe choose to send their children elsewhere and what the district could do to change their minds.
"I'm all for it," board treasurer Brian Keith said of an effort to encourage enrollment. "I think it's time for us to reduce our differential between open enrollments in and open enrollment out. And, you know, if other districts around us think that they can provide a better education and they're willing to advertise or willing to push, I think it's time for us to really show how good of a district we truly have."
Administrators and board members have previously discussed the problem of losing students to other districts in the area - a problem that comes with a funding cut. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, for each student this year who chooses to enroll in a district other than the one in which they reside, the resident district will have to pay an estimated $6,750 to the chosen district.
Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, said current staff could promote the district with targeted advertising on Facebook and place radio ads at a "minimal cost" but noted that other types of advertising will cost more.
"I think the key is we have enough good information, good data, a good story to tell that we really don't have to go on the attack in any way," Monroe said. He suggested they promote the positive things happening in the district and celebrate "great relationships" and families who feel their needs are being addressed.
On Jan. 9, the board unanimously approved a budget of up to $15,000 to be used for enrollment efforts; member Amy Bazley was absent. That cost will more than pay for itself if at least three students stay in or transfer to Monroe as a result.
At the board's request, District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said she will contact School Perceptions, a research firm, to conduct an open enrollment survey. The survey would be intended to determine why some families in Monroe choose to send their children elsewhere and what the district could do to change their minds.