A trend in decreasing student enrollment continues at the Gasconade County R-2 District in the 2026-27 school year.

District wide, the school reported 1,705 students enrolled as of Sept. 21, according to Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson. Attendance to date is at 95.84 percent.

Former superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy reported in October 2025 that enrollment was 1,748 students, down from 1,780 the previous year. Despite the decrease in enrollment, Johnson had good news to share.

“The first month of the 2026-27 school year has provided a strong start across the district,” Johnson reported during the Sept. 21 board meeting. “Staff preparation was evident in the smooth opening of the school, with classrooms, programs, transportation and facilities ready to serve students from day one.”

Johnson said she has intentionally focused on teachers and staff building relationships with students and families and creating a positive, welcoming school environment.

“We are also continuing to emphasize proactive communication with families and community members — sharing information early, responding to concerns and creating opportunities for meaningful partnership,” Johnson said.

Establishing these habits early in the year supports the broader goal of building a culture of trust, support and shared responsibility for student success, Johnson said.

Johnson also updated the board on the free and reduced lunch population percentage since the district returned to paid meals for the first time in two school years.

“We currently have 649 of our 1,668 students that qualify for free and reduced lunch,” Johnson said. “That’s right at 39 percent. That has jumped from about 25 percent two weeks ago.”

Johnson said parents are noticing the charges.

“I think as bills are coming and parents are realizing that they’re paying for lunches again, they’re being incentivized to fill out that free and reduced lunch form,” Johnson said.

The district began the school year with $112,000 in revenue and $14,000 in expenses, but Johnson said that is not a clear view.

“The reason that looks so lopsided is that that’s when your summer school funding comes in, and you’re getting all of that revenue from summer school lunches that were reimbursed by the state,” Johnson said. “That will definitely even out.”