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4
<br />Criteria for Evaluating Strategies for Reducing Class Size
<br />The following criteria were used for evaluating strategies for reducing class size:
<br />• Impact on teacher workload
<br />• Practicality
<br />• Cost
<br />• Impact on instruction
<br />• Consistency with the district's mission, beliefs, and values
<br />• Disruption within the community
<br />• Loss of people's jobs (layoffs)
<br />Recommended Strategy for Phasing In Reductions and Associated Costs
<br />Several approaches for phasing in the reduction of class size were discussed;
<br />however, only one is recommended for further consideration. Under this approach,
<br />significant class reductions would be phased in, by grade level, over the next ten years.
<br />The timing of the reductions are related to the annual cost as well as the availability of
<br />capacity as new schools are constructed.
<br />A major point of discussion among the committee members was the affordability of
<br />this proposal. In order to provide options that are financially feasible, the committee
<br />recommends that the Board consider reducing the number of assistants as class size is
<br />decreased in elementary schools. In the table below, three scenarios are presented
<br />(1) maintain the present allocation of teacher assistants in the elementary grades (one
<br />assistant per teacher in grades K -3 and one assistant for every two teachers in grades 4-5);
<br />(2) reduce the allocation to one assistant per every two teachers in grades K-3 and one
<br />assistant for every four teachers in grades 4-5; and
<br />(3) allocate one assistant for every four teachers in grades K -5.
<br />Year Grade Present Proposed Estimated Estimated Estimated
<br />Class Size Class Size Add. Cost (1) Add. Cost (2) Add. Cost (3)
<br />1998 -99 9 26 23 $150,000 $150,100 $150,100
<br />1999 -00 10 26 25 $36,431 $36,431 $36,431
<br />1999 -00 11 26 25 $36,000 $36,000 $36,000
<br />1999 -00 12 26 25 $32,923 $32,923 $32,923
<br />1999 -00 3 26 20 $448,615 $124,615 ($37,385)
<br />2000-01 4 26' 20 $394,038 $223,288 $223,288
<br />2001 -02 5 26 20 $400,385 $226,885 $226,885
<br />2002 -03 6 26 20 $318,462 $318,462 $318,462
<br />2003 -04 1 23 15 $819,478 $426,812 $230,478
<br />2004 -05 7 26 20 $315,231 $315,231 $315,231
<br />2005 -06 2 23 15 $948,870 $494,203 $266,870
<br />2006 -07 8 26 20 $321,692 $321,692 $321,692
<br />TOTAL $4,981,877 $3,102,294 $2,334,627
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