Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Class Size topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates class-size imbalances, data and a one-year second-grade teacher proposal
Summary
Board members discussed May enrollment figures showing second-grade sections at Jersey Shore Elementary higher than Avis, with proposals to add a second-grade teacher for one year to reduce class size; staff will return with IEP/intervention data and other requested details.
Board members on May 19 debated whether to add a temporary second-grade teacher after members analyzed May enrollment reports that show uneven section sizes between Jersey Shore Elementary (JSE) and Avis Elementary.
Board member Mrs. Thomas, who reviewed enrollment snapshots dating back to 2016–17, said second grade at JSE shows 25 students while Avis has 19 and recommended adding a sixth second-grade teacher for one year so class sizes can be reduced in the district’s critical early-reading grades. "I would like to see us address that difference between the kids because the second grade is... critical with reading," Thomas said.
Others urged caution. Dr. Ulmer and other board members said historical data show the disparity often evens out within one to two years and that classroom-level special-education support and IEP distributions matter. "The numbers that she's using are from the May enrollment report. So they are the most up to date," Dr. Ulmer said, while also noting enrollment changes month to month.
Board members requested additional data before directing staff to hire. The superintendent’s office agreed to provide counts of students with IEPs, numbers receiving interventions or reading specials, and a clearer breakdown of kindergarten assignments between JSE and Avis. The board also discussed classroom physical capacity: district staff said capacity planning had previously used a 25-student-per-classroom benchmark and that classrooms meet current size thresholds; staff said they would confirm specific room-size maxima and building-by-building differences.
Public commenters weighed in. Bob Pryor of Midland Township questioned the rationale for smaller classes given historical larger classes, while former educator Melissa Spearley urged the board to prioritize early reading, saying, "There is a huge difference between teaching 19 students and 25 students."
No formal staffing motion was made at the meeting. The superintendent said she would return with the requested IEP and intervention data and that the board will need to give direction if members want a temporary hire to address next year’s second-grade imbalance.
Ending: Staff will compile the requested special-education and intervention counts, confirm classroom capacity limits, and report back so the board can decide whether to authorize a one-year second-grade hire or use other adjustments.
