Enrollment figures have increased in Regional School Unit 5 schools, Superintendent Becky Foley told the school board at its Sept. 28 meeting.

Overall, the six RSU 5 schools have an enrollment of 1,888 students, compared to 1,852 last year. Only Morse Street School in downtown Freeport showed a decrease.

Michelle Ritcheson of Durham, the school board chairwoman, said that the increase is slightly more than projected. The fact that Durham residents voted against withdrawal from RSU 5 earlier this year, together with a $14.6 million renovation ongoing at Freeport High School, can only help in the future, she said.

“I think stability in the district breeds confidence,” Ritcheson said.

Enrollment has been an issue in the district. In the 2014-15 school year, it was reported that an estimated 18 percent of students living in RSU 5 towns were going to schools – public or private – in other districts.

School-by school enrollment figures, with last year’s numbers in parenthesis, are: Freeport High School, 516 (492); Freeport Middle School, 315 (310); Durham Community School, 439 (437); Mast Landing School, 262 (255); Morse Street School, 236 (240); Pownal Elementary School, 120 (118).

Regional School Unit 5 directors met Sept. 28 in a bright, newly renovated Freeport High School library. A $14.6 million renovation of the school, which is two-thirds complete, should help with student enrollment in the future, school officials hope.