| West Virginia's public schools lost about 2,460 students from last school year to this one, dropping the total number to 270,708 and making 2017-18 the fifth straight year of enrollment decreases.
The state school aid funding formula automatically decreases dollars for county public school systems that lose enrollment. Enrollment numbers from the current school year are used to set funding levels for the following fiscal year.
Calhoun Schools have dropped to slightly over 1,000 students, dramatically cutting money from the school formula, and creating significant financial problems to the county system, particularity a county without a supportable education levy.
In 1993-94 Calhoun had 1,705 students.
During last week's state Board of Education meeting, Amy Willard, executive director of the education department's Office of School Finance, provided an early estimate that there will be a $5.9 million drop in state school aid funding next fiscal year.
State education officials didn't provide information during last week's meeting on where those students went whether it was out of state, into homeschool or elsewhere. | 
