D11 Classes Could Get Larger Next Year
School District 11 leaders are considering upping the average class size by one student next year to help account for a budget shortfall.
The move could free up about $2.6 million. The school district is trying to fill an $8.6 million hole in the 2012-2013 budget.
It would increase the average class size in elementary schools to one teacher per 25 students, one teacher per 29 students in middle schools and one teacher per 33.5 students in high school classes.
Staff cuts in administration and in the schools are likely. At Wednesday’s budget discussion, the school board gave preliminary approval to cut a little more than 16 positions from the central office and 14 teaching positions district-wide. Eleven special education jobs were also on the chopping block but it seems those jobs will remain in place and be reevaluated in December.
Another cost cutting move given the nod by the school board are furlough days. Staff and teachers are forced to take two unpaid days during the week of the Thanksgiving. School board leaders said they would like to move those days later in the school year but because of the holiday it gives the district the most “bang for the buck.” The furlough days help save the district $1.6 million.
