Schools

Class Sizes, Declining Enrollment Main Topics at Budget Meeting

Slideshow presented Thursday night revealed class size numbers.

Declining enrollment and elementary school class sizes were major topics of discussion at Thursday night's budget worksession at Beach Street Middle School.  

During a slideshow presentation, Supt. Rick Simon revealed what he predicts to be the actual class sizes of all elementary grades. The lowest average number of students was said to be first grade, which will have an average class size of 20.6 students.

Here are the projections of each grade: 

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  • Kindergarten: (18-22 per class), 300 total students, 21.4 class average.
  • 1rst Grade: (20-24 per class), 309 total students, 20.6 class average
  • 2nd Grade: (20-24 per class), 326 total students, 23.3 class average. 
  • 3rd Grade: (20-24 per class), 356 total students, 20.9 class average. 
  • 4th Grade: (24-27 per class), 338 total students, 22.5 class average.
  • 5th Grade: (24-27 per class), 391 total students, 23 class average. 

Simon also mentioned that they're still working on a redistricting plan which should be complete by the end of April.  

Regarding declining enrollment, Simon presented slides showing how severely the district is losing students.  He says in one school year alone (from 2011-12 to 2012-13) there will be a decrease in 171 students.

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"That's a pretty significant decline, to say the least," he said.

Kindergarten enrollment, in particular, continue to decrease at a steady pace. Over the last ten years, the total number of students within the district has gone from 406 to a projected 299 in 2012-13.  

Other Notes

  • Simon said that the district continues to downsize the number of administrators in an effort to maximize savings.  With Magda Parvey's departure, as well as Zocchia's announced retirement, the district said they will not replace their assistant superintendent positions.  The district is projected to carry only 24.5 admin positions in 2012-13, down from the 33.5 they've had over the last two years. 
  • Simon also announced in a letter to parents who the principals of each elementary school will be: Mr. Mullins--Bayview; Mr. Hunter--Bellew; Mr. Maniscalco--Oquenock; Mrs. Morrison--Manetuck.

The next budget worksession will take place on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Beach Street. 


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