QUESTION: Are Class Sizes Being Increased To Accommodate the Merger?

Are the number of students in classrooms being increased in order to accommodate this merger?

In every practical sense - NO. With a VERY minor exception.

At present each district establishes it class room sizes by grade through contract language and Board of Education policy. The superintendents report that each district currently tries to achieve the following class section sizes as a best practice in serving the pupils and in utilizing the skill sets of the teachers at each grade level:

• Pre-Kindergarten: 18 pupils per class section
• Kindergarten and grade 1: 20 pupils per class section
• Grades 2 and 3: 22 pupils per class section
• Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8: 24 pupils per class section
• Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 (core subjects): 25 pupils per class section

 The Study document for the merger cites the following as the goals of the class room sizes:

• Kindergarten and grade 1: 20 pupils per class section
• Grades 2 and 3: 22 pupils per class section
• Grades 4, 5, and 6: 24 pupils per class section
• Grades 7-12: 25 pupils per class section

The only difference would be that in the newly merged district 7th and 8th graders would be in classes where the pupils per classroom could increase by 1, from 24 to 25 pupils per class section. THAT IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN CLASS ROOM SIZES BEING CONSIDERED.

So overall the planned merger contains no real differences in class sizes.

If you have other questions about the study please contact the friendsofthemerge@hotmail.com