28-1. [Untitled]

The BOARD of Education acknowledges and strives to maintain class sizes as established in Board Policy Section 301.2 (Class Size) and Board report: 10-0615-PO1 (adopted June 15, 2010) shall provide as follows:

I. Elementary Schools and CTE Guidance Centers (if any)

A. Staffing

28 at the kindergarten level

28 at the primary level

31 at the intermediate level and upper grade level

20 in the education and vocational CTE guidance centers (if any)

1.

The number of classroom teaching positions provided to each elementary school will generally be determined as follows:

  1. The total number of intermediate and upper grade students will be divided by 31 on a whole number basis (i.e., the division will not be extended to a decimal place). If the division is uneven, then the remaining students will be included in the primary membership;
  2. The total number of primary students will be divided by 28 extended to one decimal place, and rounded up to the nearest whole number;
  3. The total number of kindergarten students will be divided by two, extended to one decimal place, and rounded up to the nearest whole number; this number will then be divided by 28, extended to one decimal place, and rounded up to the nearest half (0.5) number;
  4. The sum of (a), (b) and (c) represents the total number of teaching positions that will be provided to each elementary school;
  5. Teachers assigned to the Intensive Reading Improvement Program or to bilingual programs will not be counted as part of the number provided to implement the maximum class size program in each school.

2.

The total number of education and vocational CTE guidance center students (if any) will be divided by 20, extended to one decimal place, and rounded up to the nearest whole number.

B. Organization

1. Elementary Schools With Space Available

In those elementary schools in which space is available, the maximum number of students in classes will generally be as follows:

27-29 in kindergarten classes

27-29 in primary grade classes

30-32 in intermediate classes and upper grade classes

Implementation of these class sizes in specific schools may result in problems relating to class reorganization, single section classes, split grades, and installation of experimental programs. Local school deviations from the class sizes indicated above may be made by the principal, after consulting the Professional Problems Committee and the teachers involved, when necessary to implement special programs for instructional improvement or to meet special needs of the particular school.

2. Elementary Schools Without Space Available

In those elementary schools in which space is unavailable to organize classes as indicated above, the additional teachers provided under the staffing in (A) will share the curriculum planning, instructional responsibilities, and all other related duties of teachers. Said additional teachers will be programmed in such a way as to provide for maximum teacher-student contacts on a regularly scheduled basis to share the instructional load of the classroom teachers. Said additional teachers should not be used primarily for:
  • administrative assistance
  • building security purposes
  • clerical or office-type tasks
  • discipline purposes
  • substituting
  • lunchroom duty
  • playground duty
  • guidance purposes—adjustment and counseling

3.

All schools will be designated as schools with space available or schools without space available. Five periodic reports will be prepared during the school year and will include the following:

  1. a listing of the names of the schools where space is available;
  2. listing of the names of the schools where space is not available and where additional teachers have been assigned.

4.

Elementary schools without space available and where additional teachers have been assigned will:

  1. receive first priority in the assignment of Cadre and day-to-day substitute teachers;
  2. have physical education teachers and teacher-librarians assigned based on the number of teaching positions, with each kindergarten class counted as one position.

II. High School Staffing and Organization1

A.

The maximum number of students in the classes indicated below will generally be as follows:

  • English (regular, honors and advanced placement): 28
  • English (essential or basic): 25
  • Mathematics (regular, honors and advanced placement): 28
  • Mathematics (remedial): 25
  • Foreign Language: 28
  • Social Studies: 28
  • Business Education: 28
  • General Science–Science Laboratory: 28
  • Home Economics–Non-Laboratory: 28

If essential or basic students are programmed in the same English or mathematics class with regular or honors students, the maximum class size will generally be 25 students.

Implementation of the policy on class sizes in specific schools may result in problems relating to individual class sizes, single section classes, installation of experimental programs, scheduling of special subject classes, and class organization and reorganization. Local school deviations from the class sizes indicated above may be made by the principal, after consulting the Professional Problems Committee and the teachers involved, when necessary to implement special programs for instructional improvement or to meet special needs of the particular schools. The total number of subject matter students assigned to each teacher should not exceed the number of subject classes multiplied by the maximum class size for the given subject indicated.

B.

The number of students assigned to teachers indicated below will generally be determined by multiplying the number indicated next to the subject by the number of classes in the given subject.

  • Art: 31
  • General Music: 34
  • Physical Education: 40

III. Elementary Schools–Art & Music

The BOARD will continue to assign art and music teachers to elementary schools in accordance with the following formula:
  • .5 position for schools whose enrollment is 750 or less;
  • 1.0 position for schools whose enrollment is 751 or more.

IV. Shop, Home Economics, Laboratory and Drafting

Shop, home economics, laboratory and drafting classes shall be limited in size to the maximum number of work stations available in each individual physical classroom in each school. The number of stations in each individual classroom shall be determined by the individual teacher, school administrator, and the shop supervisor of the BOARD.

V. Special Education

The class size in special education classes shall be in accordance with the guidelines established by the BOARD in “Guidelines for Special Education Programs” and the Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Education.

VI. Administrative Discretion in Exceptional Circumstances

The Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer is authorized to permit deviations from this policy where circumstances in the judgment of either of them require it.

VII. Procedures for Modifying Class Size Policy

Prior to BOARD adoption of any amendments to this policy altering the class size provisions contained herein, notice and an opportunity to meet and confer regarding the alterations will be provided to the UNION at least 45 calendar days prior to implementation.

The class size in bilingual classes shall be in accordance with the guidelines established by the BOARD in the BOARD policy for bilingual education and the Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Education.

Footnote
1One of the responsibilities of all high school teachers is to work to improve reading skills of all students in all subject areas.