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Teachers urge Herrin school board to reconsider closing a second-grade section and an involuntary transfer
Summary
Several elementary teachers told the Herrin CUSD 4 board May 26 that removing a second-grade section and involuntarily transferring a primary teacher would undermine foundational reading instruction, citing student gains tied to smaller class sizes and asking the board to reconsider.
At the Herrin Community Unit School District 4 board meeting on May 26, several elementary teachers urged trustees to reverse a proposed change that would eliminate a second-grade section and involuntarily transfer a second-grade teacher to another grade.
Natalie Thompson, a second-grade teacher at the elementary school, told the board the grade is “the last stop on the reading train” and credited this year’s “magnificent gains” to smaller class sizes. “If students do not have these strong foundational skills, we are taking a risk of students not being successful on reading and math assessments,” Thompson said, adding that her team’s collaboration and smaller classes allow teachers to meet individual student needs.
Aaron Wilson, who identified himself as a third-grade teacher, said closing a section and transferring Adrien Hardwick to fifth grade would weaken the district’s primary reading instruction and damage teacher morale. He noted the current configuration includes nine sections of second grade with class sizes “around six to 17 students” and cited the National Education Association’s suggested ideal class size of 15 to 18 as a rationale for preserving smaller classes. “If we keep pulling from the bottom, your structure is going to collapse,” Wilson said, using a Jenga analogy.
Jennifer McCabe, a reading teacher at Herrin Elementary School, described the proposed move as an involuntary transfer that reduces primary staffing rather than attrition. She raised questions about budget priorities, saying universal pre-K has cost “hundreds of thousands” and noting that second grade had no special education referrals last year. McCabe urged the board to protect primary teachers and consider seniority and fair transfer processes.
Board President (roll call recorded) acknowledged the comments and said the board would take them under consideration. No board action on the staffing assignment was recorded at the meeting; the board proceeded to its consent agenda and other business. The district announced a budget hearing on the amended 2025–26 budget at the June meeting.
The public commenters asked the board to pursue a fair and equitable transfer process and to weigh student learning and teacher expertise before eliminating sections.
