District 2 officials anxiously watch enrollment numbers

SUMMERVILLE — Hundreds more students than last year showed up the first couple days school was in session in Dorchester School District 2.

Officials here hope growth will slow down this year.

The district has been getting about 1,000 new students a year, prompting talk of a referendum to build more schools to relieve overcrowding. Officials were hoping the housing market downturn would slow the influx to 600 new students this year.

But on opening day Thursday, enrollment was up 826 students compared to the first day of school last year, the district reported. On Monday, enrollment swelled to 887 students more than the third day last year.

Enrollment has typically continued to swell throughout the year, as more families move into the district than move out. Officials were hoping the trend would slow this year.

Superintendent Joe Pye was studying the numbers Monday, still hoping for a break.

"I think it's going to come in close to what we planned," he said. "I definitely will tell you, I will be surprised if it's 900. I just don't see it. I see too many houses for sale. I see too many empty houses. The number of permits for new houses are way down from last year. I think the number (of new students) is going to taper off faster than last year."

A trend should be evident by Labor Day, he said.

Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier.