Why Class Sizes Matter To Our Students by Collette Guyott-Hempel

Our class sizes matter most to the students. Twenty to thirty years ago, English Language Learners and Special Education students were rare. Today in District 279 overall, these groups each account for ten percent of the students in our classrooms. In a typical class of 25 students, there are 5 students in these two categories plus another 4-5 students of the class that struggle to learn the standards set for the curriculum (lowest 25%- Learning Curve Statistics). Now add 20 more students suddenly you have 16 students that will need additional educational support in that class.

To reiterate the importance of class sizes to our children’s educations; students receive more direct mentoring from teachers. It creates an environment where students feel confident in asking questions and realize they aren’t just a number to the teacher. Students struggle with emotional needs for attention and the more students in a classroom the less likely an emotional or academic connection is made. This is true for all levels of academic ability.

Let’s face it, a child in a classroom of 30 students receives less than 2 minutes per hour of attention, students in a class of 42 students receive less than 1 minute of attention per hour (maybe 6 minutes in a good day-if they answer or ask a question). Many colleges and seminars limit the class sizes to less.

The choices are not easy regarding limited funds available to our District. During tough economic times and given the current State budget forecast it is likely that our District will be facing budget cuts.

In order to keep the far from the classroom, I have complied some suggestions/choices for school districts facing budget cuts:

1-Cut space-leased and evaluate the purpose of buildings owned.
2-Have fee-based transportation provided for students under two miles of their school building
3-Revisit after school extracurricular activities including sports and clubs-participation fees, tickets and budget amount from general fund.
4-Review and reconsider administration/teachers on special assignment assigned at the Educational Service Center. Reinstate those teacher back to the classroom.
5-Review general levy funds used by the Adult Education and Early Childhood that are not specifically funded by grants or state aid earmarked solely for their use.
6-Review utility efficiency in buildings and leasing prices to groups with permits.
7-Advocate the Legislator for consolidation of school districts eliminating board members, superintendents, administrative staff, and buildings.(As a state we don’t need 347 of them we have 87 counties.)
8- Consideration of salary cuts and hiring freezes for teachers and administration, and Board Members. However, paraprofessional salary levels are at minimal levels, therefore, a further cut or pay freeze is not appropriate.
9- Finally, as a last resort, I would reducing the number of building staff-engineers, administration, playground-lunch staff, office staff, special education staff and teachers.

There are no easy choices in order to balance the District budget.

I would advocate that the Community express your spending cut choices to the board and to your elected state officials. We have to realize that academics and citizenship is what the state constitution expected to be the priorities for public education. Our legislators and School Board members need to hear from the Community. We need to work together and discuss our priorities during these tough economic times.

I know we can “Make a Difference for the Kids” who have no vote in spending priorities.

Finally, please consider donating to your schools through your local Parent Teacher Organization or through the District 279 Foundation.

I can be reached via email at cmguyott@aol.com

Collette Guyott-Hempel