School funding is driven by school enrollment. Projections for Brown County Schools indicate continued declines in enrollment.

The Brown County Schools in their 2017/18 budget recommendations identified three scenarios regarding enrollments that would have an impact on school financing and infrastructure (page 6-7).  Their recommendations also identified the need for an economic and residential development policy.

A potential impact of declining enrollments is the need to close schools. Carmel schools are currently discussing the impacts of declining enrollments in their school system.  Why Carmel will consider closing schools

PROPOSED:   Support for Brown County Schools.  Development of an economic and residential housing policy that will help slow or reverse the downward trend in school enrollments.  Without an effective strategy, Brown County Schools may need to continue to cut the budget and rely on additional tax revenue from referendums.

• Brown County Schools – 2017 and 2018 Budget Recommendations.   See Slide 6 – Enrollment Forecasts.