Portage Township Schools is putting its toe into the water of open enrollment.

It’s one of two major initiatives for young children approved Monday by the School Board.

During the next school year, kindergartners and first-graders who live outside Portage Township will be able to enroll in the district’s elementary schools.

As the students move beyond first grade, they will be allowed to remain in the district’s schools. Superintendent Amanda Alaniz said she hopes the students will eventually become Portage High School graduates.

Parents who live outside the township would have to provide their own transportation for their children.

The parents wouldn’t have to pay tuition for their children to attend Portage schools.

Alaniz said depending on enrollments, additional space could open up for second semester. If that’s the case, the district would have to use a lottery rather than a first-come, first-served basis, she said.

A January report by Indiana University’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy said Portage’s enrollment dropped by 1,831 students, or nearly 22%, between 2006 and 2024. That includes a drop of 176, or 2.6%, between 2023 and 2024.

Some of that can be attributed to competing schools — Portage has lost about 300 students to virtual schools in recent years — but other demographics factor in as well. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the nation’s birth rate has been declining steadily for decades. Between 2009 and 2019, the number of live births per 1,000 women dropped from 13.5 to 11.4.A second Portage Township Schools initiative includes expansion this fall of the pre-K program at Jones Elementary.

“We’re excited to enhance our early childhood offerings while maintaining our commitment to students with special needs,” Alaniz said. “This model represents best practices in early childhood education and will best prepare all children for kindergarten success.”

Transportation will be provided for special needs children, as required by law, but not for general education kids.

The preschool program is currently open only to Portage Township residents, but that could change in the future, Alaniz said.

Expanding the program has meant hiring additional staff. Each preschool classroom will have a licensed teacher and a team of assistants.

The curriculum will focus on building social skills, early literacy and math instruction to prepare children for kindergarten.

Speech therapy, occupational therapy and other services will be available for children who qualify.

The program is open to children ages 4 and 5. Children ages 3 through 5 with an individualized education plan can enroll at no cost, in accordance with state law. Parents of general education kids will be charged tuition.

An informational meeting is planned for 5:30 p.m. Monday at Jones Elementary School.

Doug Ross is a freelancer.