San Felipe del Oro trustees weigh class-size waivers as elementary counts edge above 22

Board President Mesa and district administrators told the San Felipe del Oro CISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 that several elementary classrooms across the district exceed Texas’ prekindergarten–fourth grade class-size limit of 22 students, and the district will pursue state waivers and a longer District of Innovation exemption to avoid placing uncertified teachers in those rooms.

The district’s presentation showed multiple campuses with one or more classes above the 22-student limit; one classroom was reported at 26 students. “There is a class size requirement for pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, and that’s that we cannot enroll more than 22 students in a class,” Doctor Rios said during the board presentation. The board later approved the administration’s recommendation to submit TEA applications for certification waivers as discussed in closed session.

Why it matters: state rules limit class sizes in early grades; without certified teachers available the district must choose between creating new classes (and possibly staffing them with uncertified adults) or seeking formal exceptions. District leaders said their priority is to keep certified teachers in classrooms.

What the district presented: Doctor Rios outlined two primary options. The district can submit waivers for individual classrooms that exceed 22 students after the 30th class day, or seek a District of Innovation exemption that would allow the district to set a higher local limit (administration discussed a self-imposed limit of 25) and that would remain in effect for five years. “If we were to increase the class size by applying for a district of innovation exemption, there is no limit. We would set the limit at 25,” Doctor Rios said.

Discussion highlights: Board members and administrators emphasized teacher certification and special education distribution as decision factors. Trustee Rebecca Luna Chavez said bilingual classes were a particular concern: “My concern … is a bilingual class … and I see here, Fermin Calderon in first grade has 25 already.” Doctor Rios and principals explained that where large bilingual populations exist they schedule aides and flip instruction so an aide can support reading blocks, and that principals try to balance special education caseloads across classrooms.

Trustee questions addressed process and timing. Mr. Almaraz asked whether a District of Innovation exemption lasts beyond a single year; Doctor Rios replied, “For 5 years. It's a 5 year.” Administrators confirmed waivers are submitted after the 30th class day for any classroom that exceeds the 22:1 limit for pre-K through fourth grade.

Board action and next steps: At the meeting’s end the board approved the administration’s recommendation to submit TEA applications for certification waivers (motion passed unanimously). Doctor Rios recommended seeking a District of Innovation exemption to avoid using long-term substitutes; the board agreed to continue discussion and directed staff to provide additional information, including a distribution report showing how special education students are assigned across the affected classrooms.

Clarifying details and limits: Administrators said all elementary classrooms currently have certified teachers; the issue is that several classes are numerically above the 22 limit. One classroom was reported at 26 (four over). The district has budgeted for hired teachers and said hiring remains the first remedy; waivers and a DOI exemption are fallbacks when certified hires cannot be found. The district will prepare and share a report on the distribution of special education (students identified and receiving services) across classrooms before the next meeting.

Ending: The board did not adopt a permanent policy at this meeting; it authorized the administrative steps (waiver applications) and directed staff to return with further data to inform whether to pursue the five-year District of Innovation exemption.