While students may have enjoyed hearing the news that classes had been canceled Tuesday due to the winter storm that rolled into the region, teachers and administrators received some good news of their own the night beforehand.

Superintendent Paul Hartsig announced to the Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education that the district’s fall enrollment numbers had narrowly exceeded their projected headcount during their meeting on Monday. According to their counts, 2,341 students are attending classes this year, beating their projected amount of 2,332.

“We’re really pleased by the numbers,” Hartsig said. “Anytime we can draw more students it means that we’re doing things right, that we’re providing programs that appeal to our community.”

The largest boosts in attendance were at Kincheloe and Patrick Hamilton elementary schools, though the district’s Pathfinder’s Alternative Ed program also seen a spike as well this year, Hartsig said.

The numbers are a small jump from the figures saw in the district last year as well, as leadership reported a figure of 3,337 then. Those numbers exceeded the predictions put forward then as well, by about 3 percent.

“A number of districts around the area are losing students year over year, so for us to have these increases on our projections is a good sign,” Hartsig said. “It shows that we have a healthy school system, one that is working for students and parents.”

The additional eight students will earn the district around $50,000 worth of additional state funding, the superintendent said, which can come in handy when it comes to paying for heating or snow removal costs, which can fluctuate quite wildly from year to year.

“The more students we attract and keep, the better off we are financially, and the more programs and services we can offer,” Hartsig said.