Enrollment in Iowa’s public schools for fall 2020 declined by 1.21% from 2019, the first decline in public school certified enrollment in a decade, the Iowa Department of Education said Friday. Iowa’s 327 school districts collectively showed a decrease of 5,935 students from the previous fall, declining to 484,159 students in public schools. The decline is of concern because certified enrollment numbers are used to determine funding for schools. The Department of Education plans to meet with legislators and the governor’s office to discuss the potential impact of declining enrollment, the agency said. Certified enrollment decreased at 215 school districts, or 66% of all public school districts in the state. Des Moines Public Schools had the largest decrease — 985 fewer students — followed by Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Sioux City, Dubuque, Burlington and West Des Moines. A portion of the decline is explained by more home schooling this year amid the pandemic. A total of 8,735 students were enrolled in home school assistance programs this fall, compared with 7,103 in fall 2019. In a home school assistance program, students receive some services through their local school district. Iowa also allows for home schooling through competent private instruction and independent private instruction, so not all families use the home school assistance program, the department said.