SALISBURY — Class size was the topic at the monthly meeting of the Board of Education meeting Monday, Jan. 25, at Salisbury Central School (SCS).
Principal Chris Butwill prepared a handout showing projected enrollment figures and describing three possible scenarios for the 2010-11 school year.
The population of the elementary school (grades kindergarten through five) is expected to drop by 16 students, from 202 this year to 186. The middle school (grades six through eight) is expected to go from 87 students this year to 107, a gain of 20. The overall change for SCS is plus four.
Currently, the school has 22 classroom teachers — seven in the middle school and 15 in the elementary. (This does not include physical education, music and other non-academic offerings.) Butwill said another teacher will be needed in the middle school to handle the additional students.
The incoming kindergarten class is projected at 30 students. This fall’s third grade will have 36 students; the fifth grade will have 37.
And like last year, there are strong opinions on whether these grades should be broken into two sections or three.
The current second grade class, with 36 students, is in two sections of 18 students. The current fourth grade, with 37, is in three sections of 13, 13 and 12.
Butwill’s first scenario envisions no change in the current structure and adding a teacher in the middle school, which would maintain the current number of 22 classroom teachers.
The second scenario has two sections of fifth grade (of 18 and 19 students) and the addition of a middle school teacher. This would mean a total of 21 classroom teachers.
Butwill’s third scenario has three sections of third grade at 12 students per (plus the middle school teacher). This would bring the total of classroom teachers to 23.
Board of Education Chairman Roger Rawlings opened the meeting to public comment. About 20 parents and teachers attended, and the sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of maintaining smaller class sizes.
Second-grade teacher Karen Lundeen, speaking from her experience with the group that will be in third grade next year, said she believes three sections are appropriate “based on the needs we’ve observed� this year.
And Jenn Segalla said she believes both the third and fifth grades would benefit from the smaller class sizes.
Several speakers urged the board members to “think outside the box� as they create the budget.
After the public comment period, Rawlings took soundings from board members. Jeff Lloyd said he was “uncomfortable pitting grades against each other,� and both Rawlings and Vice Chairman Jennifer Wiegel said they had problems trying to justify a class size of 12 to the town.
“I realize the burden on teachers,� said Weigel, adding she believes Butwill should ultimately make the decision on staffing.
Rawlings said, “We have to consider the needs of the kids and of the town. Maybe we should put together three or four different scenarios.�
But, he said, even in good economic times he would find it difficult to justify a class of 12 in elementary school. “And I have a fourth-grader,� he said.
Rawlings also cautioned against thinking that cuts in programs could result in keeping class sizes small. “Those are two different conversations.�
Also in the mix: Several parents said they thought additional hours for math and reading specialists would be a good idea, a notion that had some traction with the board.
Before the budget part of the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of middle school math teacher Rachel Gall. There was a teacher resignation last year as well, prompting some to advocate not filling the position, as a way to save money.
Also, members of the education board met with the selectmen and the Board of Finance two weeks ago and received the not unexpected but still unpleasant news that the town’s revenues are down. The overall financial situation is as grim as last year, if not worse.
Rawlings reminded everyone present that these were preliminary discussions and thanked the public for the input.
Pay Bill for Robin Starr’s service in the Continental Army.Courtesy the Alex Breanne Corporation
John Mills speaking at Quinnipiac University.Courtesy the Alex Breanne Corporation
Stephanie Saetta,with her rescue dog George and Blue (left), a shepherd mix awaiting his forever home.Madi Long
Blue, a 7 year-old Shepard mix, is waiting for his forever home. Madi Long
