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Board reviews class-size averages as district warns of $370,000 federal funding shortfall
Summary
Administrators presented class-size averages by school and described an approximately $370,000 loss to the district from halted federal Title funding, which officials said could affect positions funded with those dollars.
District administration presented average class sizes at New Garden, Greenwood and Bancroft elementary schools and discussed how student needs and funding changes affect class-size decisions.
The administration reported average class-size figures for New Garden Elementary (first- and second-grade averages about 18.2; third- and fourth-grade averages about 21'2; fifth grade around 25), Greenwood Elementary (first- and second-grade averages 19 and 21; third grade roughly 20'1; fourth grade 22; fifth grade about 25.4) and Bancroft Elementary (first and second grades around 17; third grade 21; fourth grade about 19; other grades roughly 20'1). Officials emphasized that averages do not capture classroom composition: New Garden has an English Learner (ELD) population near 20% and IEP percentages around 22%, while Bancroft has higher proportions reported in the meeting.
Staff warned that recent federal changes removed application opportunities for certain Title programs and that the district's share of the lost federal funds is roughly $370,000. Administration said the state of Pennsylvania has joined other states seeking restoration of those funds; the district also said total federal dollars for the district are about $2.8 million. Officials told the board that positions now paid with federal funds will require budget conversations and that the district cannot count on those dollars in the foreseeable future.
Board members asked for clarity about how ELD and IEP populations change staffing needs; administration explained that students who do not speak English require more direct teacher support, which can reduce class size at those sites because additional specialist or paraprofessional resources are deployed there.
Administrators also noted that kindergarten registration typically stabilizes in early August and that registration and withdrawal activity in recent weeks has affected projected staffing and class-size planning.
