Belton ISD board approves class-size waivers for multiple elementary classes amid district concerns

The Belton Independent School District Board of Trustees approved class-size waivers Monday for nine elementary classroom sections across three campuses, voting 6-1 with Trustee Beck opposed. Trustees pulled the waiver item from the consent agenda for discussion before the recorded vote. Trustee Riley said the waivers affect classes at High Point, Chisholm Trail and Hubbard Branch and noted those campuses had lower TEA ratings last year. Riley expressed concern about granting waivers at campuses "on the precipice," and asked for an explanation of how the district had arrived at the numbers. Todd Schiller, assistant superintendent for human resources, explained the district tracks projected enrollments from the spring demographer report and monitors enrollments through summer and early school days; these specific classes exceeded the initial projections as the term began. Schiller and Dr. Golden said vacancies remain posted and the district is actively recruiting qualified teachers; in the interim the district assigned instructional aides at Hubbard Branch "to kind of help out with those class sizes." Schiller told the board most of the waivers are for class sizes of 23 students, with one waiver for 24. Board discussion noted potential trade-offs of creating new sections or reassigning staff after school began: moving students might disrupt multiple classrooms, while aides provide immediate in-class support. Trustee Norwood moved to approve the waivers and Trustee Preston seconded. The minutes record the final vote as "6 to 1 with Mister Beck being opposed." The board directed staff to continue recruiting certified teachers and to monitor enrollments through the year; Schiller said waivers may be rescinded if vacancies are filled or enrollment changes.