Parents and staff press CCSD 21 to reduce oversized second‑grade classes as school year begins

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education heard urgent concerns Aug. 21 about large class sizes that began with the first day of classes and persist at some schools, prompting parents and staff to ask the district to add sections rather than rely on aides.

Parents and staff said the sizes are already at or above the district guideline of 25 students per class for the affected grade and that one Riley second‑grade classroom started the year with 26 students and another with 25; a parent said one class includes four students who are deaf or hard of hearing, which she said brings the effective headcount to 29 for classroom management and instruction.

Why it matters: Large elementary class sizes and crowded middle‑school courses can change how teachers deliver instruction and how much individualized support students—with and without special needs—receive. Parents in the meeting said aides are not an adequate substitute for a certified teacher and urged the board to add a classroom section or find alternate space.

District presentation and response Mr. Roberts, a district staff member who presented the enrollment report, said district registration work over…