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Resident urges Methuen committee not to delete class-size policy; subcommittee says policy is outdated
Summary
During public comment Jack Burke urged the Methuen School Committee to update rather than delete the district's class-size policy, arguing the packet quoted a 1972 census; the policy subcommittee recommended removing the policy because it relied on outdated data and because class-size matters are shaped by collective bargaining.
Jack Burke of 49 Canabola Road addressed the Methuen School Committee during public participation on June 22, urging the board not to delete a class-size policy (file IIB) that he said began with a 1972 census reference and lacked current student–teacher ratio language.
"It starts off by quoting a 1972 census," Burke said. "I said, well where's the census? And then it dawned on me, why do I care? It's 50 years ago. My next question was where is the student–teacher ratio for all the current grades?" He told members he is willing to help rewrite aged policy language but cautioned that he is not a lawyer and recommended legal review for any suggested language.
The policy subcommittee later explained why it proposed removing the IIB file. Member Bayas said the subcommittee recommended removal because the policy is outdated and because class-size expectations are tied to state law and negotiated agreements. "We didn't see the necessity of the policy," Bayas said, noting that bargaining agreements and current data are more appropriate mechanisms for setting class-size practice.
Why it matters: class-size language affects families and classroom staffing and can shape public expectations. Residents who want explicit student–teacher ratios in policy urged the committee to keep or update the language rather than delete it; the subcommittee argued that retaining an outdated census-based statement would be misleading.
The committee did not adopt final language on IIB at the meeting: after extended discussion about the volume of policy changes and notice to members, the committee tabled the remainder of the package, including the class-size file, for additional review at a future meeting. Members directed staff to provide clean copies of the proposed changes and to ensure legal references and cross-references are clear before the next vote.
