Nationally, there is a trend of school enrollment decreases because of changing demographics including a falling birth rate.  Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says the town has a level enrollment, if not slightly up. 

Over the next 10 to 20 years, school enrollment in Bethel is not expected to go down.  While the town won't see a big change in enrollment, Knickerbocker says Bethel won't experience the decrease happening in surrounding towns. 

The Board of Education studied the enrollment numbers carefully, and updated them several times in anticipation of school renovation projects.  The Board of Selectmen recently signed off on a plan to have the Board of Ed continue working with an architect to draw up renovation plans for Rockwell and Johnson elementary schools.  

Johnson School was built in 1980 to house grades 4 and 5.  Rockwell School, which was built in 1971, was renovated in 1977.  Rockwell is one of two schools in Bethel to teach kindergarten through third graders.