Successful Census Impacts Schools In Many Ways

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau asks our nation to stand and be counted. The numbers garnered from this nationwide population count are used by the federal government to determine where to spend its taxpayer dollars, including how much money school districts should get. In an environment where school districts are in desperate need of revenue, every penny from every source is of critical importance. That is why it is so imperative that every resident be counted come April 1, National Census Day, so the amount of federal dollars that flow to our city and schools are not at risk.

Lakewood is in a unique position as its current population estimate teeters on the 50,000 mark. If a municipality falls below 50,000 people, it loses its federal “Entitlement Community” status. If that happens, federal money allocation to the city is reduced by 50% in the second year after the Census and then to zero in the third year. At that point, money for the city and schools will be drawn from a different, smaller pool of money that non-Entitlement Communities must share.

“Our students should benefit from the larger piece of the pie,” said Dr. Kate Foley, Lakewood City Schools’ Director of Student Services and the point person for the Schools’ Census education efforts. “Otherwise those dollars will shrink which will have an impact on our educational programs.”

In the schools, federal dollars are used to fund Title I programs, Head Start programs, college grants and loans, special education and adult education programs. The Census numbers can also be used to redraw school district boundaries if population shrinks considerably.

Because of the wide-reaching effect the Census results will have on our city and schools, the two have teamed up along with the Lakewood Public Library and the Lakewood PTA Council to be part of the Lakewood Complete Count Committee.

"PTA supporting the Lakewood's Census count fits right in with the PTA's mission of being 'a strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child'," said Karen Lee, president of the Lakewood PTA.

The Complete Count Committee was formed to raise awareness in the community about the importance of being counted. The schools are doing their part with age-appropriate activities scheduled throughout the month of March to bring the message home to families about the importance of taking part in the Census.

“Anything we can do to raise awareness and engage our student body, I believe is a school district’s responsibility,” said Dr. Foley. “It’s a good Civics lesson as well.”

The PTA Council has spearheaded a program in the elementary schools that brings someone from the library’s Children’s & Youth Services department into the schools to offer a Census-related story time and follow-up activities that help the younger students learn about the Census in an engaging and hands-on way. At the middle schools, students will run a mock Census, and at the high school, city leaders will engage students in an informational forum.

The Census forms are being mailed to households now. The form has 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to fill out. For any questionnaire not returned, Census workers will canvas those dwellings and offer assistance. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share any data collected with any individual or organization including federal and law enforcement agencies. Our city and schools depend on it so please stand up and be counted!