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Ridgefield committee advances new class-size policy that sets grade-level maximums, keeps board authority
Summary
The Policy Committee advanced a wholly new class-size policy (6510) that lists grade-by-grade maximums, delegates limited flexibility to the superintendent for temporary deviations and requires at least biannual reporting back to the board; the measure will go to the full board for a first read.
Board member John Paradiso introduced a new Ridgefield School District class-size policy (6510) at the Policy Committee meeting on Sept. 29, saying the draft places grade-level maximums directly in the policy and is built on legal guidance from Shipman and Goodwin.
"We make it really clear for the community that the board of education retains the ultimate authority," Paradiso said, explaining the document also delegates limited operational discretion to the superintendent to address temporary circumstances. The draft asks the superintendent to report at least twice a year on any deviations.
Nut graf: The policy is designed to give families visible, consistent guidance on classroom limits while preserving the board’s oversight. Committee members said putting numbers in the policy — rather than only on a website link — improves transparency even if it requires occasional policy updates when circumstances change.
Paradiso said the policy includes a "non-exhaustive" list of considerations the superintendent can use when temporarily adjusting limits, for example when a student’s instructional needs require different placement. He said the board will retain final authority to change guidelines up or down.
Superintendent Susie Dilva told the committee the district aimed to be ahead of state guidance and that the policy responds to community concerns about class sizes. "This is one of those policies that is not legally required, but much like other policies that a community might value," Dilva said, underscoring the distinction between legally mandated rules and locally adopted guidance.
Committee members also asked for regular reporting to give the public context about how often limits are met. The administration said a class-size report typically provided in November will include historical data; staff noted the available dataset begins in the 2009–2010 school year.
Board members said the policy will improve communication about typical class sizes and the circumstances that might prompt temporary deviations. The committee voted to forward policy 6510 to the full Ridgefield Board of Education for a first reading.
Next steps: The policy will appear on the full board agenda for a first read; additional operational details, historical class-size data and any staff recommendations will be discussed in subsequent meetings.
