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Taking the data on Table 4, and projecting the numbers of elementary, middle, and high school <br />students we are likely to have in the district by year, and taking the optimum size of each type of <br />.school above, the need for facilities can be estimated. <br />It appears that one additional elementary school is needed as soon as possible. Smith Middle <br />School will accommodate growth in the middle grades: Some additional capacity will be needed <br />for our high schools. This might be accomplished through an alternative school and/or mobile <br />classrooms on our existing campuses. <br />Impact of Reducing Class Size <br />The School Board has adopted a plan to advocate for a series of steps to lower average class <br />sizes throughout the district. The plan calls for the following reductions over the next four years: <br />Year/Reduction <br />2000 -2001 Reduce Grade 3 from 26 to 23 <br />2001 -2002 Reduce Grade 4 from 26 to 23 <br />2002 -2003 Reduce Grade 5 from 26 to 23 <br />2003 -2004 Reduce Grades 6 -12 from 26 to 25 <br />The ultimate Class size reduction goal will be the following: <br />Grades K-3 <br />15 students <br />Grades 4-5 <br />18 students <br />Grade 6 <br />20 students <br />Grades 7 -9 <br />23 students <br />Grades 10 -12 <br />25 students <br />The projections for needed new facilities described above do not take into consideration the <br />possible impact of reduced class sizes. The near term reductions would necessitate the <br />construction of one new elementary school or its equivalent. <br />If average class sizes can be reduced, there are two possible alternative impacts on facilities. <br />Alternative one would be to aim to keep the optimum number of students for each level of school <br />constant, but to increase the number of classrooms in each type of school. However, it should be <br />noted that most of our elementary schools would be hard pressed to find the space for the <br />constriction of very many classrooms. Alternative two would keep the elementary schools at <br />their present size, thereby necessitating the constriction of a new elementary school <br />Re leg Older Facilities <br />A principle used in planning for school facilities is to assume a life expectancy of 50 years. This <br />district has facilities that are approaching that age no". and some are in a condition where <br />13 <br />