Based on the actual enrollment trend over the past few years, have we lost nearly 800 students:

• 2019-2020: 8,685
• 2020-2021: 8,433
• 2021-2022: 8,375
• 2022-2023: 8,097
• September 1, 2023: 8,037
• October 1, 2023: 8,007
• September 2024: 7,897

Hello, Mankato community. I am Elizabeth Hanke and I am running for school board. I want to talk about an important issue that’s affecting our school district: the significant loss of student enrollment.

In October 2019, our district enrolled 8,685 students. By September 2024, that number had dropped to 7,897 – a loss of 788 students, equivalent to two small elementary schools. To me, This decline signals that parents, students, and teachers are feeling unheard and dismissed within our district.

During community canvassing, I consistently hear from parents that have uninvolved students that their children changed schools due to bullying, harassment, or the need for additional services to address learning loss from COVID-19. Teachers, too, raise concerns about disruptive behaviors, the need for remedial services, and a lack of support, yet these issues appear unaddressed.

A May 5th article in the Mankato Free Press quoted our superintendent discussing reasons for student loss, mentioning daycare availability, school size, and parental work locations. The Mankato Free Press noted he hinted at political and cultural factors but I noticed that he didn’t fully address the core issues of bullying and insufficient services that many parents and teachers have highlighted to me while canvassing our community.

Blanket statements about religion or politics can feel dismissive to those whose students have left due to struggling with classroom distractions and a lack of necessary support.

In school board meetings and past forums like Coffee and Conversations, I’ve heard teachers bring up rational concerns, such as the need for remedial classes for struggling readers or the need for more support to address classroom distractions. Unfortunately, these concerns have often been overlooked. some teachers have expressed they feel uncomfortable advocating for their students, fearing their concerns might be seen as criticism, which could negatively impact the school’s reputation and lead to further student loss.

We need to create forums like coffee and conversations or similar forums where everyone – parents, teachers, and students – can voice their concerns and suggest solutions without fear of dismissal or reprisal. Addressing these issues openly and collaboratively is crucial to reversing enrollment loss and ensuring our district meets the needs of all its students.

Thank you for listening, and let’s work together to build a stronger, more responsive educational community.