Fall student count day shows mixed bag in local school districts
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ALPENA -- Wednesday was one of two student count days throughout the 2026-27 school year for public schools in Michigan, where some local school districts were lower and some higher than last year's preliminary counts for the fall semester.
Student count days are mandated through the State School Aid Act, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Count day is when all public schools in Michigan tally the number of students attending their schools. Each student translates into state funding.
For Educational Service Districts, including the Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District, state aid is based on the number students legally enrolled on or before count day.
The fall head count is done the first Wednesday of October. The spring head count is done on the second Wednesday of February, meaning this school year's spring head count will be on Feb. 10.
The fall count day represents 90% of state funding and the spring count day represents 10% of state funding according to the MDE
Pupils must be in attendance and receive instruction in all classes to be counted as a full time equivalent student, with some exceptions. If they have an excused or unexcused absence or are suspended from school on count day and attend school within a certain number of days, they will still be counted according to the MDE.
Local K-12 school districts preliminary head count numbers as of Wednesday:
-Alcona Community Schools: 663
-Onaway Area Community School District: 497
-Posen Consolidated School District: 169
-Rogers City Area Schools: 450
APS Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said that he won't know the head count numbers until Thursday morning due to the number of programs that need to be counted. Last fall he reported a preliminary number of 3,666 students.
A message was left with Hillman Schools Superintendent Pamela Rader. Last fall, they reported a count of 450 students.
Atlanta Schools Superintendent Tawny Hisscock said she would send numbers on Thursday.
Alcona Schools decreased from last year's initial head count in the fall. They were at 681 in October 2025.
Onaway also saw a decrease of students from 514 last year.
Posen Schools counted 169 students. Business Coordinator Lucia Bruski said that is a good number for the district.
Rogers City saw an increase from last year's count of 406 total students.