BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - Alabama is seeing the biggest school enrollment declines in decades.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey confirmed about 5,000 students are not returning to public schools this year.

Several school districts in the area are reporting enrollment decreases, while Dr. Mackey says thousands of students are taking part in the CHOOSE Act. But he said there are an additional 2,100 students who are unaccounted for.

In Walker County, Superintendent Dennis Willingham said the district is down 60 students this year, which follows a trend they have seen over the last five years.

“We talk with our stakeholders, we talk with our parents. Our principals are very personable with the parents and the home. We’re not hearing that it’s any fault of our schools,” said Willing

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