There’s a hidden factor in enrollment figures 

But there’s a hidden factor in those numbers and, in many important ways, it’s helping to prop up the county’s public school outlook. It is estimated that between 9,000 and 11,000 students are from households in which at least one parent is in the country without proper documentation. It’s a controversial subject (and one rarely discussed publicly by school authorities).

The estimate is arrived at via statewide research performed by the Education Trust-West, an organization that is devoted to issues affecting children of color and those living in poverty. The trust’s website indicates that, statewide, there are about 750,000 pupils who hail from homes in which at least one parent is here illegally.

That works out to 13% of the state’s total school-age population of 5.8 million youngsters. Accounting for our county’s high cost of living, we’ve adjusted that percentage downward a bit.

(Firm statistics in this matter are extremely hard to come by. The San Mateo County Office of Education does not have records regarding youngsters in this specific category, although it does note that U.S. Census data indicate that 7,845 children here were foreign-born as of 2021-22. That same year, the state Department of Education reported that just over 18,000 children in county public schools were not fluent in English).

Using what seems to be a conservative 9,000-student level in the county category at issue, that total would represent a considerable number of jobs, a need for as many as 300 full-time teachers and even more classroom aides, clerical workers, maintenance staff, administrators, bus drivers and other necessary employees who keep the schools humming.

The impact of these children, many of whom were born in the United States in spite of a parent’s (or both parents’) questionable residence status here, can also be felt in other ways: Per pupil reimbursement from the state (in some districts), a delay in potential school closure decisions, test scores, etc.

In the end, no matter how you care to analyze it (or what your personal views on the societal ramifications of illegal immigration might be), the presence of these students is an important component of the Peninsula’s enrollment big picture, both now and into the future.

NO MORE RINGLING BROS.: We’ll say it again. We miss the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Cow Palace. It’s coming to Oakland and San Jose within the next several weeks, but not here.

The aging Daly City arena is no longer on the circus’ itinerary. That’s been the case for awhile now. It’s too bad, even though some aspects of the circus have been eliminated altogether or watered down in some obvious ways.

Back in the day, the impressive parade of performing animals and colorful personnel (loved the clowns) along Geneva Avenue was a sight to see, especially for the younger set. The elephants were of particular interest.

The circus march began at its special train parked on a nearby rail spur to kick off its North County dates and was always a local treat. Unfortunately, that era is gone.

A TIKTOK TWIT: Here’s the latest put-down among some of the social media mavens out there in the crowded electronic morass: “Low-grade Twitter user.” What could be worse? TikTok Twit? Instagram Idiot? Facebook Failure? H.L. Mencken would have been amused. Or quite perplexed.

SOME SAGE TV ADVICE: This instructive bit of medical wisdom was imparted by an earnest KPIX TV news anchor last week: “Physical health is important to prevent cancer.” Captain Obvious, you have some competition.

John Horgan, who has been writing about San Mateo County’s ins and outs since 1963, beginning at the defunct Burlingame Advance Star, can be contacted by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail.com.