According to an email sent to the Middletown Eye by Board of Education member Ryan Kennedy, the budget submitted by Superintendent of Schools Michael Frechette eliminates six elementary classes. The assumption is that already-crowded classrooms in elementary schools will become more crowded if the budget passes.
The meeting will not be held at the High School, as are many meetings which expect to draw large attendence. The Board of Education Budget Meeting will be held at 6 PM at 311 Hunting Hill Avenue at the School Administration Building.
It is despicable that the BOE would cut 6 classes at the elementary level when they have overcrowding in at least 2 of the schools (Moody and Macdonough). Especially since they have recommendations from JCJ to do nothing for the coming year. Also, who from the public has seen this latest version of the budget and an opportunity to review it? We can not operate as a community in this rush to resolve environment.
ReplyDeleteAs a board member I want to be the first one to say I will not vote for any budget that cuts into class size this year. The bigger problem is no one knows what is coming. Just from a quick glance at the councils budget, if you do everything you are doing today next year... 7 million dollar increase.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to think that the council of next year won't be thinking of giving the BOE a 5-9% increase in the years to come.
As a board we need to prepare for another 0% increase. We need every dollar to be spent better. Just look at last week when the democrats on the board gave the nod to central office to spend 500,000 on items not in last years or next years budget, as well none of which put TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM...THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Please come to tonights meeting, DEMAND to speak on the budget, and tell the Board of Edu. to keep all current teachers!!!!
I am inclined to think that rather than assume cutting classes will increase the class size over an acceptable level (see JCJ report for what is considered acceptable), we need to look at the actual ratio of students and teachers with the collapse. For example, if there are classrooms with very low numbers (such as 12 or 15) that could be combined to match the class size of all the rest of the classes in the district, it would make sense to collapse the classrooms. It is becoming clearer and clearer that the quality of teaching ultimately is what affects student learning rather than class size. We should be asking, does the collapse of 6 classrooms push any class, K-2 over 22 or 3-5 over 25? If so, then we shouldn't do it, otherwise we should. Currently, the average class size is somewhere around 20 in the district with some classes at the limit and some far below. Let's make sure have a complete understanding of all aspects of the situation.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon @ 8:05:
ReplyDeleteYou make some good points. The actual class size average in Middletown this year is between 18 and 19 students in the elementary - but the range is everywhere from 13 kids to 26 kids (there may be one 27). Some schools have a lot of children move in and out during the year, so those numbers go up and down quickly.
There are also classes of 13 at some schools. There is room for increase. Not in all schools, but in some. I say, save money. Or, use the money saved to support Moody and Macdonough.
ReplyDeleteRyan: I'm having a hard time understanding your post. First you say you will not support cutting 6 classes. OK I can respect that. Then you mention the bigger picture of future budgets and the need to maintain a 0% budget. You toss in a dig on spending current dollars better. OK! What dollars are being spent very well? please post specifics. Can you give better detail on how to spend better. The who, what, and how. If you cannot support cutting 6 classes then what is your proposal, what will you cut that will have the net savings to maintain current class size all be it unequal across the district. What is you 7 million dollar cut to achieve a 0% increase next year. We don’t want to hear political pop shots. We want ideas and solutions to the problems we face now and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous
ReplyDeletePlease see this morning's piece on last nights meeting, where i made such a proposal!!!!