East Ridge parents urge North Shore board to add kindergarten teacher, warn of 28-student classes

Two parents of incoming East Ridge Elementary kindergartners urged the North Shore School District board on Aug. 11 to add a teacher or additional resources after learning the school's current staffing plan would create two kindergarten classes of 28 students.

"This is not only concerning, but it's a disservice to our children at the most vulnerable stage of their educational journey," said Kelly, a parent who described her 5-year-old and asked the board to prioritize kindergarten when assigning an extra teacher.

Caitlin Cassidy, another East Ridge parent, read numbers from a school communication: "The principal's note states that there are currently 56 kindergarteners enrolled, which would result in only 2 classrooms of 28 students each," she said, and urged the board to allocate the third teacher to kindergarten rather than second grade.

Both parents cited research and state guidance about early grades, noting the state's K-3 class-size initiative and its general target of about 17 students per teacher. Kelly added context about the cohort, saying many of the children were born during the COVID-19 pandemic and may need extra support in early socialization and emotional regulation.

Superintendent Dr. Justin Irish and staff did not propose an immediate reassignment during the public-comment period; the board took the comments under advisement. In earlier discussion of related facilities and portable projects, staff noted construction and funding constraints and that capital funds reported to the board cannot be used for staffing.

Next steps: parents asked the district to reexamine East Ridge staffing allocations; the board did not take an immediate vote during the public-comment period and indicated that public comments outside the published agenda will be followed up through district channels where appropriate.