Concord School District reviews proposed class-size limits and potential budget impact

The Concord School District school board discussed a proposed change to the district's class-size policy that would lower maximums in early grades and could require new teachers and classrooms if adopted.

District staff presented the proposal during the budget work session and described it as a committee recommendation intended to make class sizes smaller in primary grades. Superintendent Murphy said the committee endorsed targets that would become "not to exceed" limits rather than ranges. "In kindergarten we like to see it at 17," Murphy said, describing the current target; the proposal would set kindergarten at "between 14 and 19," and would reduce the top end for grades 1 and 2 to a 20-student maximum, down from a prior allowance of 24.

The change would also set a not-to-exceed 22 for grades 3'5 and 24 for grades 6'8, while allowing high schools greater scheduling discretion. The district's analysis for one year showed it would need one additional teacher and classroom in first grade under next year's enrollment;…