All school divisions in Virginia, including Montgomery County Public Schools, are currently conducting the triennial school census through July 15, 2005.
The State of Virginia requires all school divisions to conduct a census of their residents every three years. The school census is used to determine the distribution of the one percent of sales tax funds that are returned to Montgomery County and the towns of Christiansburg and Blacksburg, as well as financial support for public schools. Each young person missed in the census will result in a loss of $800-$1,000 in sales tax returned to Montgomery County each year.
The school census includes the number of children born between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 2004. The count will include the number of children who attend either a public or private school; are home-schooled; enlisted in the military; reside outside the household in colleges, hospitals or other institutions; or do not attend any schools.
Montgomery County Public Schools will compile a total count of all newborn children through twenty years of age by using the following methods to complete the census survey: school surveys, mass mailings, phone contact and/or door-to-door enumeration. Parents will be asked to identify the name, age, and date of birth of every child in the family. The information provided will not be shared with any other company or agency. The census report will contain only numbers of children in given age ranges, not personally identifiable information.
Citizens are urged to cooperate fully in this survey by completing and returning census forms, which will be mailed during the week of May 16. Those who complete the first survey mailed will not receive further mailings or contacts from census takers.
Inquiries concerning the triennial school census in Montgomery County should be directed to Dr. Judith Rutherford, Director of Student Services, at the Montgomery County School Board Office at 381-6116.