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USD 407 board votes to add sixth‑grade section, eliminate standalone STEM specialist for 2026–27
Summary
With enrollment edging up, the board voted to add a section of sixth grade and discontinue a separate STEM specialist position for the 2026–27 year; administration said science instruction will be provided by regular classroom teachers and STEM duties will be repurposed into a sixth‑grade opening.
The Russell USD 407 board voted to add a sixth‑grade section and eliminate the district’s standalone STEM specialist posting for the 2026–27 school year.
Administration explained the change was driven by enrollment shifts: fifth‑grade counts rose across the year and, without an additional section, class sizes could approach mid‑20s. The motion to add the sixth‑grade section and remove the STEM posting was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.
Superintendent and staff said the change will not remove science instruction; rather, regular classroom teachers will teach science under the new schedule and the district has scheduled dedicated science time across grades for next year. School leaders also said the STEM posting will be reclassified as a sixth‑grade posting to fill the new section.
Board members asked about consistency in science instruction and whether all students would receive comparable STEM exposure. Administration said a meeting was scheduled to review science curriculum and that staff had discussed the change with building leadership teams.
The board recorded the motion and approved the change at the meeting; the implementation timeline will be part of staffing and scheduling work before the 2026–27 school year.
