By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

The number of elementary school students enrolled in Hays USD 489 this year is a bright spot for the district, which saw an overall decrease in students.

An increase of 58 students were enrolled at the five elementary schools in Hays this fall, which Will Roth, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said is due in part to the large kindergarten classes.

"For probably 10 years, we've hovered around the 200 mark with each class," Roth said during Monday's board of education meeting. "This year, we have 259 kindergarteners. We would hope that that trend continues."

Total elementary school enrollment is at 1,264 students, back up in the average range for the school after a significant drop-off in the 2006-07 school year.

Middle school enrollment dipped 34 students this year while Hays High School enrollment decreased by 52 students. Total enrollment was down by 28 students to 2,737.

Roth said the student-to-teacher ratio remains consistent at all levels.

"I've heard it mentioned a couple times here tonight (that) we need to be concerned about our increasing class size," Roth said. "I hear that even from our own staff."

He said the elementary school is efficient with its 18.9 student-to-teacher ratio, but with electives and special programs offered at the high school level, the 13.3 student-to-teacher ratio there can be deceiving.

Roth also announced at Monday's meeting all of the schools in the district had made annual yearly progress on math and reading state assessments and that 52 of 58 classes had made the standard of excellence.