One of the issues that will be voted on at the Board meeting is the redistricting plan.
There was a committee meeting that created the proposal that was presented at the last Board meeting. Moving the students around is not too big a deal (most likely there will be some minor transportation costs to having students living in the same neighborhood going to two different schools). There is a concern about class size that will result from the redistricting, particularly in light of the hiring freeze and decision to not replace retiring teachers.
The Board Agenda for February 12 includes enrollments by building, by grade. Looking at grades 1 to 5 (with K half day I excluded them for the moment), there are 75 classes and 1659 students in all three buildings. The average class size is 22.
Shafer will be receiving the largest number of new students. The building, according to the principal, can handle 100 students before special teachers will lose their classrooms. With no change in enrollment, as of now, Shafer's 1st, 4th and 5th grades are over the 22 student per class size, while LNES's 2nd & 3rd are, and Bushkill's 4th grade is.
This indicates that Shafer already has higher class sizes than the other two buildings. The shift of students is intended to result in a reduction at LNES and an increase at Shafer.
Looking at the actual class sizes (as opposed to grade averages I used above), Shafer 1st grade classes have 23 and 24 students compared to Bushkill with 18 to 20. This results in 3 to 6 more students per class in Shafer. This is pretty significant from a percentage standpoint.
The point of this exercise is that I've heard a lot about the overcrowding. The use of redistricting to resolve that makes sense, but I've not heard how the impact on class size will be addressed. This is a concern that is compounded by the budget situation, and one that deserves some attention as it has a direct impact on classroom learning.
10 comments:
Moving the students around may not be an issue at the logistical level, but it sure as heck is an issue at the student level. As anyone who was ever moved to a different school in their elementary years can attest, being shifted to a new school can cause huge problems for one's social life that can last for years. This needs to be seriously considered before it's implemented.
Call me a skeptic when it comes to class size and some mystical number. I went to school when we had class sizes in the 30's. I taught under similar circumstances in junior high, senior high and middle school. It was never a problem. In my third year of teaching I had over 200 students while I taught six periods in a seven period day.I taught all levels and a combination of history and geography classes. I found that if I was properly prepared for my classes and maintained discipline in my classes, I could teach with success. I believe that formula works today. Let me also note that at both the high school and middle school level I had main streamed kids in class and never had an assistant special ed teacher in class as had been promised. I did not let it bother me.
Two quick points/clarifications:
No one is being forced to move schools, everyone is grandfathered into the school they are currently enrolled. Further any sibling of a student currently enrolled will be able to go to the school of the older sibling.
This mostly affects people who move into the district or who opt to change schools (ie some in Tatamy and Stockertown may want to go to shafer due to shorter distance).
The other point is that this is elementary not MS or Secondary and my primary point was that the class size should be equitable from building to building per grade level.
The NASD did set class size goals for early elementary, later elem, MS, HS, don't know what they are off hand, but my concern is that some elems will have smaller class sizes while Shafer's will grow and that wouldn't be fair to the students in Shafer.
Make them equitable compared to one another.
At the meeting it was noted that the K-3 target is 22 and k-5 is 25.
It was also noted that Shafer will get extra teachers if needed.
I heard that specials will run on a four day cycle again, over crowding more so for Shafer if this is true.
Shafer is already overcrowed in specials, fifth grade is at or almost at 30 and regular first grade classes are at 23-24,when will it stop
Shafer's special area class sizes this year already are 35+ for 5th grade, right about 30 for 4th grade, and 25+ for 1st and 2nd grade classes. It is frightening to think what a 4-day schedule might do to those class sizes in the future when new students are added. Someone should take a hard look at this issue.
A reliable source has mentioned nasd plans to do the 4 day special rotation again for next school year at the elem level. That will be too much crowding two years in a row. Maybe someone should look into this for their students, as ours will be going to the ms.
The issue of the 4 day cycle and large special area class sizes was raised in September to the School Board and Adminsistrators.....NO one listened!
Unless you have a large number of people speak out about this (not here, but attend school board meetings)it does sound like a 4 day cycle is planned for next year.
Respectfully submitted by:
Tired of being ignored and ready to support new faces on the school board.
To 6:50pm Roxanne replies:
Totally Agree
All students from that elem grade's classes are divide into 4 groups and then go to the 4 specials. Need to speak up now at board meetings and question this 4 day special cycle. Some of us tried this school year to voice our concerns for change but the 4 day cycle was to stay. Very overcrowded from some grades.
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