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Board approves first reading of revised class-size policy, asks for wording tweaks

MSAD 35 Board of Directors · December 18, 2024
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Summary

The board approved the first reading of policy IIB (class size) after discussing wording changes and the application of class-size thresholds; administrators warned of contractual and budgetary limits when responding to short-term enrollment fluctuations.

The board completed a first reading of a revised class-size policy (policy IIB) after discussing minor wording changes and how the policy will operate in practice.

Administrators reviewed class-size thresholds cited in the draft policy—pre-K 16 and below, kindergarten 14–18, grade two 18–22, grades six through eight 18–25, and grades nine through 12 15–25—and explained the operational challenges that follow from contractual obligations and program-specific limits (for example, pottery class seat limits and vocational-program transfers). "When you create the high-school schedule numbers look great and then all of a sudden you pull out vocational students ... you can't cut the position because the teacher's contract has already been established," a district representative said, noting the budgetary and staffing implications for short-term enrollment declines.

Board members suggested small text edits (capitalization of titles and phrasing such as 'will remain committed') and the committee agreed to incorporate those changes in preparation for a vote at a subsequent meeting. The first reading was approved by the board; the revised text will return for formal adoption after the edits are recorded and the board has time to review.