NLMUSD is losing 400 students per year. Following this trajectory, we will not have the funds to maintain the programs we currently offer if something is not done to reverse this trend. Some individuals say the solution to low enrollment is to close schools. On the contrary, I want to fix the enrollment problem. We need a data-driven approach to solve this problem and it is long overdue. Our district needs to immediately analyze the out-of-district transfers during the last five years, understanding the reasons for these transfers so we can maintain the students we have and attract future students to NLMUSD. Parental dissatisfaction is one of the driving forces behind students transferring out of the district. We need to proactively promise parents we will protect students from divisive curriculum, keep parents informed of what is happening with students at school, provide competitive programs, set high expectations, revise our birthdate cutoff criteria for enrollment decision-making that also takes readiness into consideration, promote exceptional teachers and provide a learning environment that is free of disruptive behaviors so students are safe and every student can succeed. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of the circumstances that led families to make the tough decision to move their children outside of NLMUSD schools. With your help, I will put KIDS FIRST and turn this ship around!