Long Range Planning
Ozark School District is growing, and we’re planning for the future together. At the Oct. 19, 2023 Board of Education meeting, Bob Templeton, vice president of the school district segment for Zonda Education, presented the 2023 Demographic Report (see below), confirming what many already know: Ozark School District is a destination district for young families.
What the Data Tells Us
Templeton highlighted key trends shaping our schools:
- Younger Families & Growing Enrollment – Ozark has a younger population than the rest of Christian County, with the 10-14 age group being the largest cohort.
- Steady Growth in Housing & Enrollment – Over the last five years, 224 students have been added to the District, and with 100-150 new homes built annually, enrollment is projected to reach 6,317 by 2028 (up from 5,954 today).
- Middle & Junior High Capacity Concerns – Growth trends indicate that these campuses will near capacity within the next five years.
Why It Matters
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Curtis Chesick emphasized the importance of planning ahead: "We are grateful for a tool like our demographic study that allows us to take a scientifically-based look into the future. We can make better decisions by knowing when and where the growth is coming."
