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Staff outline 15–16 net staff reductions and class-size projections amid consolidation
Summary
District staff reported net reductions of roughly 15 teacher positions and 16 support positions tied to consolidation and declining enrollment, provided building-level class-size averages, and said they will monitor course requests and program placements that typically reduce initial projected class sizes.
District staff told the Manitowoc School District committee that staffing reductions tied to consolidation and falling enrollment will reduce professional and support staff headcount and may raise class sizes in some buildings unless mitigating placements occur.
Staff reported that, as of a March 31 memo, the district recorded 17 retirements (10 teachers and seven support staff), one teacher resignation and eight support-staff resignations; staff also identified nine teachers and five support staff on limited-term contracts. Accounting for positions the district intends to refill, presenters said the net reductions equate to about 15 teacher positions and 16 support positions.
Why it matters: The staffing changes relate to the district’s consolidation plan and affect classroom coverage, special programs and class-size planning. Staff said they are working with principals to avoid unnecessary vacancies and to staff based on current course requests and program placements.
Class-size detail and projections: Presenters shared building-level averages: Franklin Elementary’s average class size for grades K–4 was reported as 19.68; Riverview’s average was 15.6 (the transcript notes an AM/PM split); middle schools averaged about 25. Staff explained these figures represent course-request snapshots that tend to fall before the school year as students drop classes or move into apprenticeship or early-college placements. Lincoln High School’s projected enrollment was cited as 1,255 students; staff said they adjusted their counts to account for Rising Phoenix, youth apprenticeship and early-college placements to avoid inflated staffing levels.
Board concerns and follow-up: Board members pressed staff for follow-up numbers and asked that staff check wait lists for targeted programs; one board member said, "We can't continue to inefficiently staff in this district," and another warned about workload in large classes, saying, "29 kids in English and I have to grade papers. We would lose another staff." Staff responded that historical patterns show enrollment counts typically drop between initial course requests and the start of school and said they will provide updated, post-registration numbers.
What staff will provide next: Staff agreed to follow up with program leads (Katie, Micah and Ben were named as staff working on projections) and return updated enrollment and staffing data to the board. The staffing report at this meeting was informational only; no formal staffing votes were taken.
