Housing shortage impacts school enrollment
By Michael on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton School District’s enrollment count for this month showed a loss of 24 students since January. Normally, the highest losses come at the high school level, but that was not the case this time. Superintendent Chris Fritsch says 16 of them were at the elementary school level. The district reaches out to families to determine why they are leaving.
“Families who have been looking for affordable housing can’t find it,” Fritsch said. “They’re kind of giving up here in Pendleton and moving to other areas where they can find affordable housing.”
The city of Pendleton has plans in the works to ease the housing shortage and Fritsch said he he’s anxious for them to become reality.
“The developments that are on the horizon, hopefully they get here soon, and they get developed soon to help relieve at least this niche of people that are leaving the community,” he said.
While enrollment was down compared to last month, it wasn’t all bad news. There are 10 more students than there were in February of 2021.