Some Milwaukee area schools lose students

MILWAUKEE — More than half the school districts in the four-county Milwaukee metro area saw enrollment decreases at the start of this school year.

But enrollment is up in some of Wisconsin’s largest virtual charter schools.

According to data released by the state recently that provides a preliminary count of kids in public schools, 30 of the 51 school districts in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties counted fewer students this September than last fall.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/RYinlb ) reports 10 of 13 virtual schools that responded to reporters’ inquiries reported at least a 15 percent increase in enrollment. Seven gained at least 30 percent more students.

State enrollment counts help determine how much state funding a district receives and how much money it can raise under state-imposed revenue caps.