Prince George, B.C.- School District 57 Superintendent Brian Pepper says the preliminary enrolment number for Mackenzie are positive. “We had projected there would be 646 students and the initial numbers show enrolment  at 646 students.” Mackenzie’s school enrolment was expected to be the tell tale sign of the real impact of the job losses in that community.

That’s not to say there hasn’t been a reduction in the number of students as the numbers compared to last year are down. In September of 2007 there were 80 more students in secondary school, 40 more in elementary and 40 more at Morfee.

But Superintendent Pepper says the fact the projection appears to be matched by real numbers is good news “The planning that was done last spring will mean there are no expected changes for the schools” Of course, it all depends on the real numbers that will be recorded later this month. “I am being cautiously optimistic that there won’t be any changes.”