Kindergarten registration numbers in the Hanover School division are on par with last year's after pre-registration in Februrary.

Superintendent Randy Dueck says the Kindergarten pre-registration total is 540 this year compared to 580 last year. He adds from now until September he expects the number will rise to meet the current Kindergarten enrollment of 660 students.

Hanover School Division Board of TrusteesDueck notes, for now, the space available for Kindergarten is sufficient but the birth rates do continue to rise.

"We do track it and we are aware that they are increasing. Maybe they're not increasing super rapidly but every year there are more kids born in Steinbach and Niverville and the Hanover municipality."

Dueck says the amount of space the division currently has for students should be sufficient for a few years before they start pushing the boundaries on available space again. He notes they are waiting on a response from the Manitoba Public Schools Finance Board on their requests for a new Grade 9 to 12 school in Niverville and an addition at Mitchell Elementary School.

He adds the highest Kindergarten pre-registration numbers are currently in their largest schools - Niverville Elementary, Woodlawn, Southwood, and Mitchell Elementary.