NORWICH – Growing concern over student enrollment, troubled finances and the future of the Norwich City School District was brought to the attention of the school board Tuesday when members gathered for the first meeting of the year.

Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan presented recent enrollment survey data from DCMO BOCES to the school board during last night’s meeting. The data shows the number of students currently attending the city schools has dropped 9 percent (approximately 254 students) over the past 10 years. The good news, O’Sullivan pointed out, is that drop has stabilized over the past three years. “Our enrollment is relatively flat at this time,” he told the board.

“Neighboring school districts have seen a precipitous decline,” O’Sullivan added, pointing to the Unadilla Valley School District as an example. “The UV population is down 29 percent over the last ten years according to DCMO BOCES figures ... We have seen the least amount of decline in our BOCES.”

O’Sullivan said he anticipates enrollment at NCSD to stay stable over the next five years. Even so, falling enrollment at Norwich and surrounding schools is alarming as it means less funding and more uncertainties. “It’s going to have several implications as we move forward,” said O’Sullivan. “We are in a very difficult, changing environment. The opportunities available for students are completely different than what we experienced.”