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Saucon Valley approves kindergarten Spanish-immersion hire as program expands to K–2
Summary
The board approved a hire for a kindergarten Spanish-immersion teacher as the district implements a phased expansion. Administrators said kindergarten and first-grade cohorts will begin this year under a 90/10 model at lower grades and a 50/50 model in higher elementary grades; enrollment figures were provided.
The Saucon Valley School District Board approved an elementary‑level hire for the district’s Spanish immersion program as administrators described how the program will expand this school year.
Board members considered the personnel item during a grouped motion that the board approved. The hire is for a kindergarten Spanish‑immersion teacher, and administrators said the position was planned as the immersion program grows into additional grades.
At the meeting, Assistant Superintendent (name not specified) and curriculum lead Mrs. Braxmire explained the program structure and the community engagement that guided the decision. Braxmire said the district reviewed recommendations from an outside consultant (identified in the meeting as “CAL”), surveyed incoming kindergarten parents and consulted faculty. “After much, much, much discussion, it was determined based on CAL’s recommendation, the community feedback, that we do move ahead with a kindergarten program,” Braxmire said.
Administrators described the instructional model: kindergarten through second grade will run a 90/10 model (instruction primarily in Spanish with some English), and third and fourth grades will run a 50/50 model with science and social studies taught in Spanish. Braxmire said the program will continue into middle school with one block of science/social studies in Spanish.
Enrollment figures provided at the meeting showed about 23 students for incoming kindergarten ("23 plus or minus 1," per Braxmire), roughly 23 for first grade and about 26 for second grade. Braxmire told trustees the district did not need to run a lottery or create a wait list for kindergarten this year.
Board member Bill asked whether the new hire could teach in later, more balanced (50/50) models; Braxmire said the selected teacher is elementary certified and could serve in both 90/10 and 50/50 configurations.
The personnel motion that included the immersion hire passed without recorded dissents. Trustees did not vote separately on program design; administrators said the hiring move follows earlier discussions with parents and faculty.
The board did not set additional program-specific reporting requirements in the meeting, though administrators offered to share program data with the community and the board at a later date.
