Mathews schools superintendent Dr. David S. Daniel shared a bit of troubling news with school board members Tuesday night concerning school enrollment. The Gazette Journal reports enrollment at the end of the 10-day count currently stands at 824 students, down about 50 from earlier projections. This 50-student drop “has put a shock into the system” that carries budget implications. There has been a significant rise in the number of parents opting to home school their children. Last year, that number was about 120, with 138 expected in 2023-2024.