Parents, students press Hudson School District to add fourth-grade teacher as class sizes climb

Several parents, a student and board members asked the Hudson School District board on June (meeting date) to add a fourth-grade classroom at Hudson Prairie Elementary to reduce class sizes and reconsider denied boundary-exemption requests.

"Adding another fourth grade teacher would make a real difference," said Angie Debruzzi, identifying herself as a concerned parent of a fourth grader. "It would ease the pressure, allow for smaller groups, and most importantly, help more students succeed right in the classroom without needing to seek extra help after school."

Why it matters: Parents said large class sizes are forcing families into tutoring outside the district and disrupting continuity for children who have attended Hudson Prairie for years. Several speakers asked the board to add a fourth-grade section so previously denied boundary exceptions could be reconsidered.

What was said and what followed: Nick Balterback, another parent, asked the board to consider adding a fourth fourth-grade class and teacher when the district allocates resources for next year. He said reducing class rosters "to around 21 to 22 kids would provide a much better student-to-teacher ratio for this grade." Nine-year-old Piper Bilderback, who spoke for herself, said, "When there are too many kids in one class, it's harder for the teacher to help everyone," and asked the board to add a teacher so students can stay at the school they know.

Administrators reported updated enrollment and staffing figures during the discussion that followed public comment. Andrea (enrollment staff) told the board kindergarten enrollment has dropped to about 294 and that the district has been tracking section counts; the staffing worksheet shown to the board moved the district from 91 to 93 sections after recent enrollments, including adding one third-grade and one fourth-grade section at Hudson Prairie. Andrea said the district posted the teacher positions two weeks earlier and, "contingent upon this conversation tonight," will proceed with hiring and scheduling.

Board members supported swift administrative action. Board member Erin said she was "really happy" with the prospect of adding sections and noted advocacy from families. Board members asked that staff notify families whose boundary-exemption requests were denied; Andrea said staff would follow up and that adding sections would allow the district to reconsider those applications.

Action vs. discussion: The board did not record a formal roll-call vote to add sections during the meeting. Administrators characterized the next steps as administrative direction: (1) continue the posted hiring process for the added third- and fourth-grade classroom positions at Hudson Prairie, and (2) revisit previously denied boundary-exemption applications if the new sections are filled. Andrea said interviews would proceed quickly because job postings had already gone live.

Clarifying numbers: Andrea reported Hudson Prairie fourth-grade class sizes at about 29–30 students in the current projections; parents advocated for class sizes around 21–22. District-wide section counts moved from 91 sections to 93 in the staffing worksheet shown to the board. The kindergarten cohort was reported at about 294 students. The number of boundary-exemption applications affected by this decision was reported as four. (Numbers as stated in the meeting.)

What's next: Administrators will continue hiring for the posted positions and notify families about boundary-exemption reconsideration; the board will review updated enrollment and staffing as part of its regular budget and staffing process.