Local school systems were no different than many businesses during the economic sluggishness over the recession. “Certainly, going from picking up 600 to 1,000 kids a year to around zero in 2008 is 100 percent economy-related,” said Hall Schools Superintendent Will Schofield. While growth slowed, both Hall County and Gainesville City school systems have experienced modest student growth rates over the past few years, and expect that trend to continue.