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After debate, Averill Park board adopts class-size policy with some dissent
Summary
The board adopted policy 44-20 on class size after extended discussion about enforceability, high school minimums and the policy’s practical effect; several board members expressed disagreement before the vote.
The Averill Park Central School District Board of Education adopted policy 44-20, the district’s class-size policy, at its July 9 meeting after a lengthy discussion that included concerns about enforceability, differences between elementary/middle and high school classroom needs, and whether numerical targets should be included.
Board members described two perspectives: some argued that a written policy with numerical targets provides consistent expectations for families and staff and safeguards against future drift; others — notably board member Jesse (surname not specified in the transcript) — said the policy’s phrasing such as “strive to achieve” offers no enforceable metric and questioned whether the policy would produce practical changes.
Administrators and policy-committee members explained why explicit minimums or maximums were removed for some high school courses: sequencing, graduation requirements and the fluid nature of elective enrollments can make fixed high-school thresholds impractical. The administration said high-school scheduling and sequencing decisions are evaluated annually and that some low-enrollment advanced courses may be offered despite small class size to maintain curriculum breadth.
After discussion and a motion to proceed, the board approved the policy as written. The transcript records clear debate and at least one named dissent; the meeting record indicates the motion passed but does not provide a complete roll-call tally in the public transcript.
Board members asked that administration continue to monitor class-size impacts during scheduling and provide data as needed to the board so the policy can be applied consistently across schools.
