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Gordon Board of Education will ask state to waive class size
by Karissa Stewart
Apr 21, 2011 | 2015 views | 1 1 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Gordon County Board of Education will ask the state to waive class size limits for some kindergarten through 12th grade classes next school year.

Superintendent Bill McCown recommended to the school board the approval of a class size resolution to be presented to the state Department of Education to grant seat waivers for 8 classes for students in k-12.

The waiver request for the 2011-2012 school year was unanimously approved by members of the board at their regular monthly meeting Monday, April 11.

According to the waiver, the types of classes included are: regular education, English Language Learners (ELL), gifted, Early Intervention Program (EIP), remedial education program, vocational (CTAE), Alternative Education Program (AEP) and special education.

The waiver requests that up to three students over the state maximum be allowed per classroom, so teachers could see anywhere from one to three additional students in their classrooms in August next year.

Increasing class size is one of the flexibility options that were issued by the state Department of Education to all local school systems in 2010.

Before requesting waivers, school officials were required to keep kindergarten classrooms between 18-20 students; first through third-grade classes were limited to 21 students; and fourth-and fifth-grade and middle school classrooms were capped at 28 students.

Also during the Monday, April 11, meeting county BOE members:
  • approved a classroom supply bid for $1430.77 with School Box, the current supply vendor.

  • approved school-directed and funded construction efforts and improvements of the Sonoraville High School softball field with no impact on the school board budget.

  • approved several school fundraisers, including March of Dimes, book fair, a talent show, car wash and yard sale.

  • recognized Kim Watters, Gordon Central High School chorale director, as this month’s Team Gordon member.

  • recognized Aug. 5, as the first day of school for the 2011-2012 school year.

  • approved Brenda Null to attend the GSBA (Georgia School Board Association) summer conference. DeWayne Bowen volunteered to be the alternate.

    The next board meeting is May 9 at 7 p.m. at the board of education building, located at 205 Warrior Path.
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    April 21, 2011
    Of course it can make a difference adding 1-3 children in classroom. Try being in teachers position and keep class under control while requiring to teach certain materials that are regulated by state. You also have to take under consideration on each additional childs behavior, which by the way, is the main problem every teacher has in the classroom. Parents don't keep them under control when child is at home, so therefore, teachers can't control them either. It's a know fact that the smaller the classroom, the better each child can be educated. More time can be spent with each individual child and they can focus on the needs of that child better with smaller classroom. This is all about saving money to cut the budget, exactly where it don't need to be cut.
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