Clay Central/Everly's certified enrollment declined six students from 2020-21, but Superintendent Kevin Wood is hoping the district's preschool program will help bolster numbers in the future.

Wood reported to the school board on Oct. 27 that CC/E's certified enrollment was down from 67 last year to 61 this year. However, that figure doesn't include the preschool class, which brings the total number of students in Royal to 72.

CC/E was able to offer full-time preschool this year thanks to pandemic-related emergency funds. Wood hoped preschool numbers would stay strong in the future to feed...