Increase In Home Sales May Be Causing High Enrollment | Community Spirit

 More than 8,000 students are enrolled in the Alisal Union School District, that's over 400 more than they expected.

Realtors say more people are buying homes in East Salinas which may be filling up Alisal school district schools. Bardin Elementary has the highest enrollment in the district with 966 students, 100 more than last year.

In the past year over a dozen homes have been built in the Monte Bella community, right behind Bardin Elementary and people are buying them.

"The developments are about 5 to 6 years old but they've continued developing and prices have continued to decline in the area so of course it becomes more desirable," said Angela Savage.

Savage is with Steinbeck Realty, she said houses used to cost about $600,000 but are now about $300,000 and people are taking advantage of that.

In the past year they've sold between 50 and 100 homes including foreclosures and short sales, not only helping the economy but also improving communities

"When you have short sales or bank owned homes that are purchased by first time home buyers, they move in, start taking care of the property and we'll start to see those neighborhoods turn around and start to visually look better," said Savage.

In the schools, administrators have added kindergarten classrooms across the district and have had to increase classroom sizes.

The district also hopes to start building Monte Bella Elementary in the next six months. Completion of the school would take about 18 months.