“On Sept. 1, the district submitted its capital plans,” Kube related. “We are hoping, based on enrollment projections, we will qualify for one elementary school in 2009‑2010.”

The district may use some of the money from a bond issue approved by taxpayers in November 2004 to build an elementary school for the 2008‑2009 school year.

“It’s a toss‑up between the Stetson area and Fireside area” as to which will get the next new school, according to Kube. It depends on the comparative growth, she said.

“Space‑wise, we’re okay this year (district‑wide),” Kube related.

Three to four years ago, enrollments started to decline in a few schools located in the southern portion of the school district near Bell Road, she said, and over the years seven or eight schools in the areas north toward Happy Valley Road have been seeing a decline in student enrollments. 

But two areas in the northern part of the district are experiencing explosive growth, Kube pointed out. They are the Dynamite Mountain Ranch and the Fireside subdivisions east of Interstate 17, north of Jomax Road, and the Stetson Valley development located north of Happy Valley Road west of I‑17.

The district keeps a close eye on development, said Sandi Hicks, director of public relations for Deer Valley. The district receives $3,807 on average per student from the state.

According to Hicks, DVUSD increased by 1,100 students this fall–an increase of 2.6 percent over last year but a slowdown from the past several years in which the district grew by about 4.5 percent each year.

The discrepancy between district enrollment projections and the actual numbers this fall has slightly affected the Deer Valley budget, Hicks said.

Growth to the north in the Stetson development will add another 2,000 houses at build‑out, Kube stated. Historically, this should contribute another 1,000 students. Families started moving into the development about six months ago.

The Dynamite Mountain Ranch and Fireside developments will add another 1,800 houses when completed, she said.

Canyon Springs (elementary) School, which opened this fall in Anthem, exceeded its enrollment projections, said Julie Ruskey, principal of the school. The district expected 425 students but 554 enrolled. The school’s capacity is 1,000 students.

Kube said West Wing elementary school at 83rd Avenue and Jomax Road also exceeded its projected enrollment.

The four Anthem elementary schools now built should take care of Anthem enrollment at build‑out, Kube said.

Children from the Fireside and Dynamite Mountain Ranch subdivisions are currently attending Sunset Ridge elementary school and due to area growth, according to Kube, the district will probably place modular classrooms on the site next school year.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.