Sam Kirk is the Director of Finance and Operations at Armstrong School District in western Pennsylvania. As industry has dwindled, student enrollment in the district has taken a hit as well.

In this episode of Field Trip, Sam shares his experience grappling with the financial realities these things bring to the district, and how they’ve started a new cyber school to compete for students that may otherwise have left. Plus, he shares how he’s creating transparency around district finances to keep the community informed and in agreement — even when it makes consolidating schools.

Listen now to hear:

• How Sam uses data to educate community members, gain buy-in, and have productive conversations about emotional issues like school closures

• Why starting a cyber school was key for supporting the district’s bottom line

• How the Finance Department approaches staffing decisions when enrollment drops

For more on enrollment and data analytics:

• Better understand enrollment shifts with location-based data: How Frontline’s Location Analytics can provide a better picture of enrollment at the district and building levels.
• Video: Business Analytics at Mansfield Independent School District: How the Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance explores enrollment history, per-student cost vs. academic outcomes, and school budgets over time.