Sep 17, 12:00 PM EDT

Flagstaff schools see drop in enrollment

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- Flagstaff's high schools have five percent fewer students this school year, a surprising decline that school district officials blame on the poor economy and possibly a crackdown on illegal immigration in the state.

Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Brown says overall enrollment in the district's elementary and high schools is down 2.4 percent from the previous fall. Enrollment stands at 10,923 students, down from 11,197 last September.

The district would lose nearly a million dollars in per-pupil state subsidies if the decline holds for 100 days.

Brown says he believes most of the drop is due to families leaving Flagstaff for other parts of the state because of pricey housing and relatively low wages.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Sun, http://www.azdailysun.com

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