Board of Education wrestles with oversized classes

The Alleghany County Board of Education last week discussed options for dealing with some potential oversize classes in the school system.

While the board took no action on the matter at its Aug. 7 meeting, school officials vowed to have the problem solved by the time enrollment is officially recorded in October.

"Enrollment has increased in several classes this year," said Superintendent Duane Davis. "We've worked hard to solve the problems in overages." However, based on initial registration/enrollment figures, Davis highlighted two areas in which class sizes appeared to be over the legal limit: fifth grade at Glade Creek Elementary School and kindergarten at Sparta Elementary School.

A few other classes are close to the limit.

The state has prescribed class-size limits of 21 pupils for kindergarten, 22 for first grade, 23 for second grade and 26 for grades three through nine. Davis explained that if the system-wide average for a grade is within the limit, that system has a three-pupil leeway for each individual class.

With kindergarten, therefore, Alleghany can have as many as 24 children per class. However, he said, Sparta's three kindergarten classes had 25, 24 and 24 registered respectively. (Classes for grades one through 12 began last week; kindergarten classes begin this week.)

In fifth grade, an individual class in Alleghany can have as many as 29. Davis said Glade Creek's fifth-grade class had 30 pupils. (He said Tuesday that the number had dropped to 29 since last week.) Piney Creek Elementary School's fifth grade has 28, he said.

Davis listed three options for addressing the problem: creating combination classes, asking for a waiver or re-drawing school district lines.

Glade Creek already has some combination classes, including one which joins some kindergartners and first graders, and another combining some sixth and seventh graders. "I do not like combination classes," said Davis. "I can tell you we've used the best techniques for them. We've matched up student learning styles and have had good success." He described a waiver as a "one-shot deal." Waivers cannot be used for the same class two years in a row. "I'd rather never use it except as a last resort."

Board Chairman Charles Joines asked, "Would it not be prudent to do a little redistricting to even things out a little?" He added, however, "That might create a furor."

Davis said that changing district lines would affect all grades, not just one.

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