East Central Reporter

The only school district in Richland County had a rise in enrollment numbers in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

There were 2,254 students in the halls of East Richland Community Unit School District 1 schools, 2.7% higher than the year before.

The enrollment numbers in Richland County bucked the state’s trend, which shows an overall decrease in enrollment across the state.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2022-23 school year, 52.1% of them were boys, and 47.9% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 91.1% of the East Richland Community Unit School District 1's total enrollment.

East Richland Community Unit School District 1 has a main office in Olney and is the only school district within Richland County.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above 2024.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

School	Total Enrollment in 2022-23	Total Enrollment in 2021-22	Total % Change
Richland County Elementary School	1,090	1,040	4.8%
Richland County High School	698	697	0.1%
Richland County Middle School	466	457	2%