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Holmen adds 15-student minimum to class-size guidelines, retains existing targets and exceptions
Summary
District leaders presented revised class-size guidance adding a 15-student minimum across preK–12 while keeping current target sizes and maximums; exceptions include music, PE, lab-based classes and certain college-credit or specialized offerings.
Holmen School District administrators on April 13 outlined updated class-size guidelines that add a districtwide minimum enrollment of 15 students per class while retaining existing target sizes and most maximums.
Director of Human Resources Melissa Kates and Executive Director of Instructional Services Kim Edwards presented the change as an administrative guideline to support instructional quality, staffing efficiency and equitable learning opportunities. They said the districts prior practice used a single target number across grades; the update formalizes a three-part framework — minimum, target and maximum — to guide scheduling and staffing.
Key points in the update include a 15-student minimum for preK2D12 classes, unchanged target ranges (for example, K2D4 target 202D24; grade 5 target 25) and maximums that vary by grade and course type. Music ensemble classes and some physical-education sections will retain larger-capacity planning where instructional needs allow; study halls will be scheduled up to 50 students for supervision purposes, and lab- or safety-sensitive courses may run with fewer than 15 for safety or facility reasons.
"The guidelines are really designed around supporting effective instruction," Kim Edwards said. "By establishing minimum, target and maximum, we can plan proactively and balance instructional quality with operational realities."
Administrators said exceptions may be requested with justification to Dr. Mueller (the superintendent), such as when it is less costly or pedagogically preferable to run a small course locally than to send students off-site to a partner college. Board members asked whether the guideline changes would immediately alter course offerings; administrators said schedule work is ongoing and some impacts will be monitored in coming semesters.
Next steps: Staff will finalize paperwork and make the guideline language available to board members; administrators will apply the minimums in scheduling and allow exception requests when instructional or cost reasons justify them.
