Apparently the LJSD School Board and Teachers Association do not agree with my proposition that our children should come first in the LJSD. I was at the School Board Meeting on Monday night and was saddened but not surprised to learn that next year’s class sizes in grades 1-2 will increase on average from 25 this year (already an increase from years past) to 30 next year. Geez! Our classrooms are already too full.
This increase in class size in grades 1-2 to 30 is in addition to the already increased class size for third grade this year. The LJSD average for third grade is 29 (as of October 1st). You may remember the third grade average at Macy Elementary was 33 the first two weeks of school and it was not until several parents, including yours truly, wrote or called the Principle, Superintendent, and members of the School Board to resolutely voice our disapproval. This had an effect because thankfully, the Board voted to hire another teacher. As a result, the current class average at Macy is 27. However, I do fear third grade class size at Macy and the entire LJSD will likely rise above 30 next year. Here is how grades 1-3 class sizes were allowed to increase and who is responsible for their approval.
Back in April of this year, the LJSD School Board approved a waiver be submitted to the California Department of Education (CDE) to allow for an increase in class sizes in grades 1-3. The waiver was approved in August by the CDE and allows that, “the overall average is not larger than 33 to one (not 34 to one as requested) and no class is larger than 34 to one. The waiver is for fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12.” This direct quote from the waiver can be seen here:
This class size enlargement waiver, which allows grades 1-3 to average 33 in each classroom, was supported and approved by the LJSD Board as well as supported by the California School Employees Association (CSEA, the largest classified school employees union in the USA). It was opposed by the Lowell Joint PTA Presidents Council (LJPTA), and voted on neutral by the Lowell Joint Teachers Association (LJTA). I am thankful that the LJPTA stood up for our children and opposed this move. I wish I could say the same for the teachers (who the LJTA represents) who did not vote against or oppose this move.
The large class sizes are even worse in grades 4-6. LJSD grades 4-6 (as of October 1st), averages over 32 students per classroom. Sixth grade in the LJSD averages almost 35 students per class with 37 in each class at both Jordan and Macy. How much individual attention do you think your child will receive (or is currently receiving), with 37 students in the classroom? Many of our teachers are great but they are human. You can only do so much with some many children all with wide-ranging individual needs and abilities. Come on! This has got to stop. Class sizes overall in the LJSD are too large. What saddens me more is the fact they will likely grow even more next year.
