While it may have been another typical day of school for students across the state, administrators were busy collecting data for student count day in order to submit preliminary information for school funding on Wednesday.

Locally, public school districts hope the counts indicate stabilization in student numbers as count day accounts for 90 percent of per student funding provided by the state to each school district.

The addition of students from the now closed Bingham Arts Academy has resulted in Alpena Public Schools increasing its projected count by 100 students to 3,944 students. Superintendent Brent Holcomb said the count is positive because it indicates the decline in student numbers that occurred over the past decade has leveled.

“It is good news because without the Bingham total we didn’t go down a whole lot and I think it may be a sign we are stabilizing,” Holcomb said. “We are continuing to keep our heads above water.”

Alcona Community Schools also is hoping its full-time enrollment numbers indicate a balance in student numbers. Superintendent Shawn Thornton said the projected enrollment for the fall is 729 compared to the fall of 2014 with the official count of 726.

“We are hoping our declining population continues to stabilize and we don’t experience decline from larger graduation classes than incoming kindergarten classes,” Thornton said. “We are looking at this year as a good sign that they may be easing up a bit.”

Thornton said the decline of the past likely is due to the local economy leaving the school in limbo between making necessary repairs and maintenance to buildings while also making sure educational opportunities are available to Alcona students.

“We have to be very selective and careful in our choices because we want to make sure we maintain good classroom size for students and excellent educational opportunities for them while they are here,” Thornton said.

While Alpena and Alcona schools experienced increases in student counts, Posen Consolidated Schools continued to maintain a stable count.

The student count held steady at 234, unchanged from fall 2014, Superintendent John Palmer said.

This number has been consistent over the last three years, and is slightly higher than what the district had anticipated when budgeting for the current school year. A stable student count sets the district apart from most others in the state.

“We’re lucky, I guess, because it’s just tough when you lose students,” he said. “You just can’t make it with what the state gives you, financially.”

On Oct. 20, school districts will find out what they’re getting from the state for per-pupil aid, Palmer said. He’s heard various figures given for potential increases to state aid, and Posen budgeted under the assumption of receiving an extra $100 per student.

Rogers City Area Schools also did not experience significant changes in student numbers.

The district has 207 elementary students and 335 in its high school and middle school, administrative assistant Victoria Paull said. She cited interim Superintendent Lee Sandy as saying the numbers are what the district anticipated.

Onaway Area Community Schools counted 628 pupils, up three from its spring 2015 number but down from the fall 2014 tally of 640, Superintendent Rod Fullerton said. The district budgeted for 625 students, and while the preliminary count is higher, it is not enough to make a significant difference.

Fullerton said the drop reflects a continuing trend of slumping enrollment for Onaway, something the district is trying to reverse.

“We did some advertising this fall for School of Choice,” he said, referring to the state law allowing pupils to pick their public school district. “We did pick up a few kids from that, six, seven or eight from that alone, so it would’ve been worse. The unfortunate thing is we’re just trying to minimize our losses right now.”

While the advertising helped, Fullerton said the district hopes for economic development to increase the area’s population, including its student count. For now, he is not seeing the activity to achieve this.

Atlanta Community Schools and Hillman Community Schools typically have a smaller student body resulting in each student amounting to significant changes in state funding.

Hillman Superintendent Jason McElrath said the preliminary numbers for the first semester show 18 fewer students with a total of 475 students K-12. McElrath said losing students is discouraging, but steps are being taken to find out why students are leaving in order to try to bring them back.

“Our elementary numbers are holding steady, but in the middle school and high school we are seeing the decrease,” He said. “I think the elimination of the band program played a role and some kids left the area. We’re going to work hard and get better to bring some of these kids back.”

While Hillman reported a loss, Atlanta reported an increase of five students with the preliminary count at 257 students.

Administrative assistant Amanda Fick said some students transfered from Hillman, but any increase is a plus.

“It could lead to more funding for us,” she said.

While Wednesday was the day for districts to make a student count, area schools have another month to finalize the fall count numbers allowing the districts to factor in absences and other potential variables.

A second count day will occur in February bringing in the additional 10 percent of state funding to the districts.