East Kentucky Times

There were 147 kindergarten students enrolled in Morgan County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 20.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Morgan Central Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 50 students.

Within Morgan County schools, the highest student population was found in ninth grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, Morgan County ranked 90th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 90th the year before.

Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.

Data also shows that between 2019 and 2023, there was an increase of 260% in the number of available teaching posts in Kentucky schools. This often leads to larger class sizes, combining programs, and retaining staff despite potential negative impacts on teacher working conditions.

School	# of Kindergarten Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Morgan Central Elementary School	50	14.8%	337
Wrigley Elementary School	48	13.8%	348
East Valley Elementary School	25	17.5%	143
Ezel Elementary School	24	18.2%	132