28-4. Oversized Classrooms Entitled to Automatic Investigation Support
The BOARD shall aspire to stay within the class size limits contained within Article 28-1. Effective for the 2025-2026 school year and for the duration of this Agreement, in the event that class sizes fall within the oversize class limits in the chart below, it shall trigger an automatic support in Article 28-3.1 and class size support from the Council. As set forth in Article 28-3, when setting standards and priorities, the Council may set lower limits in Priority Schools and give Priority Schools preference for remedies.
| Grade Level | Article 28-1 Class Size Limits | Oversized Classes |
|---|---|---|
| K | 25 | 26 + |
| 1-3 | 28 | 29 + |
| 4-8 | 30 | 31 + |
| 9-12 | 28 and 31 * | 29+ and 32 + ** |
*Varies by class
**Or where teacher average load is oversized by 14 students
Within the funding provided for in Article 28-5:
- Oversized classrooms in grades K-8 shall be addressed either by adding an instructor, or by adding a teacher assistant to each oversized class, or other remedies determined by the Council depending on space available and the number of students.
- Oversized classrooms (including oversized teacher loads) at the high school level shall be addressed by adding an additional instructor, additional class sections, or other remedies determined by the Council depending on space available and the number of students. Extended day buckets may be considered as the remedy to provide additional preparation and grading time for teachers with classes that exceed the class size limits. Buckets are paid at an extended day rate, with a maximum of one hour per school day per teacher.
- Kindergarten classrooms that average 23 or more students will be assigned a teacher assistant or other relief as set forth in Article 28-3.2(a). A teacher assistant, instructor assistant, or additional teacher shall be assigned to first grade, second grade, and third grade classrooms that have 29 or more students enrolled. The teacher assistant or instructor assistant shall assist in core instruction and may be shared with more than one classroom.
- After the first quarter, the Class Size Council may consider allocating class size support to 4th-8th grade classrooms with 29 or more students that have not previously received such support. The Council shall prioritize 4th and 5th grade classrooms first, and then 6th through 8th grade classrooms. After these allocations, the Class Size Council may consider allocating class size supports to half-day, blended Pre-K classrooms averaging 19 or more students. When allocating funds for these purposes, the Council shall ensure that sufficient Article 28-5 funding remains to provide continued support as outlined in Article 28-4 through the end of the school year.