Sparta School shuffles classes to meet needs

Several Sparta Elementary School classes will be "on the move" when the next school year begins as school officials shuffle students to ensure classroom use is optimized. The Alleghany Board of Education heard a report from Sparta School Principal Susan Murphy at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 7.

Murphy updated the board on the newest developments surrounding the school's space needs. In a brief report presented to the board, Murphy pinpointed highlights of the moves.

According to the document, about six classes will be moved and at least two programs will need to be put on hold to accommodate anticipated student enrollment growth. Programs and class expansions that may need to be put on hold include the Before and After School Program, a pre-school class and a possible fifth kindergarten class.

"At this point, we have all fifth grade classes up there in the arts building, we have moved there," she said.

"We now have all third grade classes on the fourth/fifth hall; we have the fourth kindergarten class in the primary building; we do have the fourth first grade class in the primary building.

The first grade class that we did have is now the EC (Exceptional Children) classroom. Even though there are two teachers together, that room is a little bit bigger so that's giving them a little bit more space, so that's a good thing.

"I now have 91 kindergartners. We thought there would be 90. I am on hold with one classroom to see if I'm going to have to use that one classroom. So, there is one classroom in the primary building that I have not put anybody in. I'm just holding off to see what happens to the (kindergartners)."

The school currently has three kindergarten classes with 23 students and one with 22. Murphy noted that 24 students represents a full class. Glade Creek helps the county average, according to Principal Gary West, who said there were 16 and 15 in the schools' kindergarten classes. Piney Creek Principal Phil Howell added they have 17 kindergartners. Davis later noted the reason Glade Creek helps the county average is "we've had to put another teacher out there, so Glade Creek has two kindergarten teachers."

This was done during the 2002-2003 school year. Murphy spoke highly of the maintenance department.

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