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LF BOE looks into 1st grade enrollment solutions
(by Tricia Czornomor - October 15, 2008)
At a recent Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Dr. Bruce deLyon, superintendent of the kindergarten through eighth grade school system, submitted a comprehensive list of options to address the current enrollment numbers in the first grade.
"The Education Team met several times and explored a number of options, which are presented for your information" deLyon said. He continued by presenting and explaining each option in detail. He pointed out the pros and cons that the administration realized about each one. deLyon recommended option five explaining that he felt it was the least invasive manner and the best scenario at this time.
A brief summary of options as they were presented are:
Option one: Do nothing.
Option two: create a fifth section. The problem with this option was not having enough room to accommodate an additional class without eliminating special classes such as LLD (for children with disabilities). It would present a challenge for the math and reading blocks and it would cause the music room to be lost.
Option three: create a fifth section and ghost the specials. In this option the new class would be split into two separate classes when it comes to specials. The music room would be lost to house this class.
Option four: create a fifth section and hire a part-time teacher. In this option a teacher would be hired and would work in tandem with the existing schedule during the reading and math blocks. Students would be pulled from existing classes.
Option five, the recommended option: maintain the current structure and hire four certified (able to teach) paraprofessionals. This option would allow the certified paraprofessional to work in each classroom "team teaching" with the existing teacher throughout the day. As a result no changes would be required in the schedule.
After deLyon concluded the list and explained the reason for his recommendation he also advised that if the board reached a unanimous acceptance vote an advertisement could go in the paper within the week and the BOE could quite possibly hire new paraprofessionals by November.
BOE President Joseph Rento opened the meeting for public discussion. It was quickly realized that some BOE members were not ready to finalize their vote, causing the recommendation to be stalled. A few BOE members voiced their opinions as to why they needed more time. Michael O'Connor read some information he said he found on the Internet advising that it specifically states classrooms with approximately 15 students would be an ideal solution. O'Connor also suggested a meeting with the finance advisor.
Joanne Gianduso and John Groh said they did not have enough time to evaluate all of the options that were presented. Groh argued that the recommended option was only a temporary fix. Groh and Gianduso abstained from voting. Kathleen Radcliffe and Joseph Rento moved to finalize the vote that evening. Peter Bruno, Pamela Cannataro, Michael O'Connor and Ian Lawson (who admitted that he liked option three) agreed to wait for a special meeting, adding that they would like to give the first grade teachers some time for input before they made a decision.
deLyon responded to the concerns stating that he received input from Michael Ryan, principal of School No. 2. He said Ryan has direct daily contact with the first grade teachers. Moving forward he explained that the BOE has approximately $50,000 available. He agreed that this is a temporary fix but, "we are trying to implement the best way to improve the teaching atmosphere for the children now."
He said the administration will further evaluate the possibility of hiring an architect to add to side of School No. 2 facing De Young Drive. deLyon continued that his recommended approach allows for the existing schedule to remain in place and will not disrupt other grade levels. He concluded that "the long term solution is two to four years away."
One parent spoke during public session and said that she was appalled at the boards behavior, saying that "we have the funds available and although temporary, we must stop the bleeding now."
Parent Tricia Toomey asked why a few of the board members weren't ready to vote, questioning their need for more time. She added that class sizes have been an issue since her child entered kindergarten three years ago she reminded the BOE members that they should be part of the solution. She stated her disappointed that they moved to shelf the vote creating more time lost. Another parent said, "You keep talking about classes of 15 but that's never going to happen, although temporary this is a good remedy that we need now."
The BOE will hold a special meeting Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in the multi purpose room at School No. 3, 560 Main St. to continue the discussion of enrollment and class size. It is expected that formal action may be taken.
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