Columbia County school administrators might seek a waiver to avoid state-mandated maximum class size requirements in response to a potential 2 percent state funding cut.
Superintendent Charles Nagle said the school system might save $500,000 to $1 million per grade level if schools don't have to hire more teachers to meet class-size limits. He said the average class size in the schools typically is three or four pupils below the maximum.
At the kindergarten level, he said, the school system tries to start the year with 16 or 17 pupils to a class so it can build toward the 20-pupil maximum without going over the limit.
He also said a growing school system needs to allow room to accommodate more students.
"It doesn't always make good sense to hire a new teacher for one child," said Sandra Carraway, the deputy superintendent.
To apply for a waiver, she said, "The teachers in the grade level have to agree that it is in the best interest of the school."
Mr. Nagle said class size is one of "many different variables" that contribute to the quality of instruction. Others include the number of pupils who have special needs or need remedial help. However, he said, "We feel that it does make a difference to try to have smaller class sizes."
Lewiston Elementary School Principal Mike Doolittle agrees.
"That could affect the instructional level in a classroom," he said of a waiver. "But my teachers have dealt with a lot of large numbers in past years" before the limits were put in place. He also said some are former middle school instructors who are adept at teaching larger groups.
Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Gov. Sonny Perdue, said legislation allows school systems to opt out of class-size limits in exchange for improved student achievement.
"The governor has said repeatedly the most important thing is outcome and results," Mr. Brantley said.
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Georgia General Assembly set maximum class sizes in 2006.
20 - Kindergarten with a paraprofessional
21 - Grades one through three
28 - Grades four through eight (core subjects)
28 - Grades nine through 12 (science)
30 - Grades nine through 12 (core subjects)
Source: Columbia County Board of Education
Comments
and this is the same county that got caught hoarding over $3 million more than the law allows a school board to hold in savings? any teacher that votes to raise the class size limits is an idiot - get rid of a few administrators & quit paying consultant fees instead.
Are you kidding me? As a teacher myself, I would never agree to this.
Bus the kids over to the Richmond County schools that are under enrolled....
Teachers, as a part of their training, have to be fliexible. Allowing a class to have 1-2 students over these numbers is not the end of the world. Teachers have taught for years with 25-30 students at the elementary level. Sure, it is easier to have fewer students in a classroom but a good teacher can adapt for a year or two. Also, If I am not mistaken this is a waiver and would not be forever. I think Mr. Nagle and his team are wise and will do whatever is in the best interest for the students and the entire school system.
Workingmom....come job shadow a teacher for a day or two. I bet you would change your mind.
Hmmm... so we have trouble with students passing the CRCT and now we want larger class sizes? With this logic coming from the Nagle, Carraway and Company, I understand why we have so many students struggle with the CRCT.
I wonder what they would do with the "savings"?
Think about this for a minute. If a class exceeded the size limit a new teacher would need to be hired. At this stage, all the good teachers have contracts with a school system. What kind of crappy teacher would a school have to settle for if they had to hire one now? I'd rather some extra pupils with a good teacher than fewer children with a bad one.
debby, I AM a teacher...and have been for many years. My work days are rarely less than 9 hours. Adding two students to my current 18 would not be an impossible task for any teacher. There are many "good" teachers out there waiting on positions. Perhaps they have taken time off to raise young children or maybe their spouse has gotten transferred. I'm not in favor of having classes of above 25 at the elementary level but raising the enrollment by 1-3 students is within reason in my opinion.
debby, maybe you should ask her to job shadow a teacher in Richmond County. It's a little different than Columbia County.
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