OAR 581-023-0019: School Census

(1) By January 1 of each year, the Center for Population Research and Census certifies to the Oregon Department of Education and to the administrative office of each county an estimate of the population of each county between the ages of 4 and 20, as of October 25 of the previous year. This census is used as the basis for the apportionment of the distributable income account of the Common School Fund to the counties by the Division of State Lands, and also as the basis for determining the amount of the County School Fund mandated levy by the administrative office of each county. (2) In order to satisfy statutory references to “school age children” or “school census,” an estimated census for all common (unified and elementary) school districts shall be computed in the following manner: (a) The Department of Education shall prorate the annual estimated school census of the state to each education service district or county school district in the same proportion as each education service district’s or county school district’s resident average daily membership (as defined in ORS 327.006) for the previous June 30 bears to the total resident average daily membership of the state. This census is certified by the Department of Education to each education service district or county school district by January 31 of each year; (b) Each education service district or county district shall then prorate this school census to the common school districts within its jurisdiction according to the plan approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to January 1, 1973. Such distribution is to be reported by the education service district or county school district to the districts and the Department of Education by March 15 of each year. This district census is used only for satisfaction of the above mentioned statutory references, and is not used for the distribution of any funds.