Informational updates were the focus of Monday evening’s Fort Dodge Community School District school board meeting.

The certified enrollment report from Superintendent Derrick Joel included this year’s 2021-2022 certified enrollment of 3,658.78 students, which is down 15.79 students from last year. Certified enrollment is a weighted formula that counts various groups of students differently.

Joel said kindergarten enrollment is down with 250 students enrolled this year. Currently, the largest class is the senior grade at Fort Dodge Senior High with 307 students.

For the current school year, 18 students left to homeschool, bringing homeschooled students that the district is aware of to 43 students. Homeschooled students are not included in the certified enrollment.

The Early Retirement Incentive Offering for the 2021-2022 school year was approved without any extra incentives.

“The rationale behind this year’s offering is not to entice staff to retire as we’re having trouble filling positions today,” said Joel.

The annual asbestos information was given, which informs parents and staff of any asbestos work that has been done within the last year.

A complete abatement was completed at the Early Childhood Center and tile and paneling was removed in a small office at Feelhaver Elementary School.

The Nov. 22 school board meeting will be held in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium in order to hold a recognition of fall activity student participants.