Policy - IIB

POLICY: IIB

EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/1/11

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 3/10/03; 9/1/99; 8/1/07

INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

CLASS SIZE

Class size will be determined student/teacher ratio. The following will be used to determine grade groupings:

• Principal will review and discuss potential grade groupings with faculty.
• Parents of affected students will be contacted for their input.
• Principal recommends grade grouping to Superintendent.
• Superintendent reviews recommendation and if unsatisfactory returns to Principal for revision.
• Upon approval of final recommendation Superintendent informs School Board of decision.

In developing grouping recommendations the following criteria will be applied based on the enrollment projected at the time.

All Kindergarten classes will be single grade classes (no combination with grade 1). Every effort shall be made to maintain individual class enrollments within the following class size ranges. Kindergarten 11 to 17 students, First to Third grade 13 to 20 students, Fourth through eighth grade 15 to 24 students. Combined grade classrooms will have a maximum enrollment of 20 students in First through Fifth grade. In grades 6-12 while individual class enrollments will vary the overall student/ regular teacher ratio should not fall below 15/1 or rise above 20/1 and for the core academics (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) student teacher ratio should not fall below 18/1 or rise above 22/1

Class size over enrollment

When the enrollment in a classroom approaches the limit, the administration will use the following procedure to keep classroom enrollments within these regulations:

1. If this occurs before August 1^st the administration will review grouping options for alternatives that meet the above Criteria and advise the School Board and affected staff and parents of the changes.
2. In the event of occurrence after August 1^st or when regrouping is impractical parents of all students in the affected classroom will be given the opportunity to voluntarily change to another school,
3. If voluntary requests are insufficient then enrollment transfers shall be made based on the following criteria.
   1. 1^st selected shall be students attending from another school district under superintendent agreement or tuition basis.
   2. 2^nd selected shall be students who are attending out of their regular attendance area by parent request.
   3. 3^rd selected shall be students most recently enrolled who have not previously attended the school with over enrolled classes.
   4. In the event two or more such students are candidates for the same available spot then the student with the longer attendance history at the school shall be given priority.

In any case for students resident to the district, transportation to the newly assigned school shall be provided by the school district. In the event that over enrollment eases in the next school year then the opportunity for reassignment shall be offered to parents in the reverse order of the selection order outlined above.

In such cases of overcrowding of a particular classroom the Superintendent shall review the practicality of dividing grades or providing educational technician support to the overenrolled classroom in place of reassignment of students and may make such recommendations to the School Board as appropriate.

When enrollment in a classroom (K-5) drops below a 1:10 ratio, administration will investigate options and inform the Board with a recommendation.

All transfer students shall be assigned whenever possible within enrollment ranges to schools conforming to their designated attendance areas. Students attending under a Superintendent’s Agreement shall attend the school assigned to them by the Superintendent. While every reasonable effort will be made to maintain such students in the same school throughout a year in no case shall this take precedence over the placement of district students and as necessary this assignment may be changed at any time to accommodate district needs. In such a case every effort will be made to provide parents of such students adequate notice to reorganize transportation.