News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Students at Lincoln Elementary eat lunch on Wednesday.

ALPENA — Schools districts across Michigan had their annual count day on Wednesday, an important day for schools that determines the per pupil funding they will receive from the state.

Each year, two count days are held, one in the fall and one the spring, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The fall count day occurs on the first Wednesday of October and represents 90% of state funding. The spring count day occurs on the second Wednesday of February and represents 10% of state funding.

Pupils must be in attendance and receive instruction in all classes on the count day, according to the MDE. If a student is not in attendance, they may be counted if the student has an excused absence and attends within 30 calendar days following count day, the student has an unexcused absence and attends within 10 school days following count day, or the student is suspended and attends within 45 calendar days following count day.

Funding is determined by the number of full-time equivalent students. Full-time equivalency accounts for students that are not enrolled full-time. Two or more students that are not full-time would count as one full-time equivalent student, depending on how many credit hours they spend in class.

Alpena Public Schools counted a rough estimate of 3,666 full-time equivalent students, according to a text message from Superintendent Dave Rabbideau. Last year’s audited count was 3,607. If the estimate holds true, the district will have seen an increase in full-time equivalent students, marking an uptick in the downward trend the district has faced for years. In the meantime, APS has budgeted for 3,587 full-time equivalent students for the 2025-2026 school year.

Alcona Community Schools counted 681 full-time equivalent students.

Rogers City Area Schools counted 406 full-time equivalent students, with 154 at the elementary school and 252 at the high school.

Hillman Community Schools counted 450 full-time equivalent students.

Atlanta Community Schools counted 260 full-time equivalent students.

Onaway Area Community School District counted 514 full-time equivalent students.

The News reached out to Posen Consolidated School District and left a voicemail.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.