ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools is seeing a sharper decline in enrollment this school year relative to expectations with nearly 7,000 fewer students than in May, a drop that could cost the district an additional $25 million in funding.

District leaders had projected a loss of about 3,000 students, but Deputy Superintendent Michael Armbruster told the school board Tuesday the actual decline is more than double that.

“It’s important to note this data is based on head count as opposed to FTE, which is slightly different,” Armbruster said. “We’re already collaborating with schools to make sure no school is cut more than necessary, but just needed to make you aware we’ve got a burden to carry right now and we’re working to carry it.”

According to district data, about 3,000 of the missing students come from immigrant families. Several board members said the loss is concerning not only financially but also for the well-being of the children.

“To see them afraid and leaving is heartbreaking,” said District 6 board member Stephanie Vanos.

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District 3 board member Alicia Farrant said the focus now must remain on academics and making Orange County schools as strong as possible.

“I think as a school board, we need to really be focused on the academics, making sure that we’re doing everything that we can to show that our schools are top notch,” Farrant said.

The enrollment decline is the largest since the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a 10,000-student drop in 2020. This time, the shortfall comes as Florida’s school voucher program continues to expand, drawing thousands of students away from traditional public schools.

Vanos noted the numbers could still change as late enrollees arrive.

“We are only in the first two weeks of school and we won’t really have final numbers until October,” she said. “So we are continuing to monitor what’s happening.”

District officials said they are working with principals to minimize the impact of potential cuts while continuing efforts to bring families back into public schools.

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