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Parents, teacher warn proposed cuts would push Hamilton Ridge fifth‑grade classes to 32–33 students
Summary
Several Hamilton Ridge parents and a fifth‑grade teacher urged the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board to reverse a proposal that would eliminate a fifth‑grade teaching position and raise class sizes to about 32–33 students, saying the change would harm instruction and family communication.
Parents and a teacher at Hamilton Ridge Elementary pressed the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools Board of Education on May 5 to abandon a proposal that would eliminate a fifth‑grade teaching position and increase class sizes to about 32–33 students.
Mark Kleckner, a parent of second‑ and fourth‑grade students, told the board that pushing fifth‑grade classes to 32 or 33 “contradicts our district’s educational mission and is detrimental to student success.” He said large classes limit teachers’ ability to provide individual attention at a “critical age.”
John Lenio, another Hamilton Ridge parent, said his fourth grader is currently in a class of 24 and that projected enrollment would put the child in a classroom of “32 to 33 students.” He said he understands the district’s budget constraints following the November levy defeat but urged the board to “reconsider class size caps across all grade levels.”
A fifth‑grade teacher, represented at the meeting by parent Amy Sernicki reading the teacher’s statement, said a class of 33 students would make small‑group instruction and family communication “exceedingly difficult.” The teacher asked the board to “consider adding an additional section of fifth grade to ensure a more effective and supportive learning environment.”
Board members did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting. Director Frederickson and staff said enrollment and staffing will continue to be monitored through the summer and that class sizes are “closely monitored” with adjustments possible as enrollment data changes. Superintendent Thomas said staffing and enrollment figures are updated weekly and that any necessary changes are made into the summer.
The board scheduled a deeper budget discussion for May 19; speakers and several board members said that meeting will include more detailed staffing and enrollment breakdowns the public can review. Several parents urged the board to make alternative budget choices so the district does not rely on the scenario that would create 32–33 pupil classes.
Ending
Parents and the teacher asked the board to prioritize classroom sizes when finalizing the 2025–26 budget; the board directed staff to continue monitoring enrollments and to present updated, itemized budget and staffing information at the May 19 study session.
