Key Facts About Class Size At Batavia Public School District 101

Batavia IL

22 April, 2022

10:30 AM

Description

Press release from Batavia Public School District 101: BATAVIA, IL — We regularly monitor class sizes, especially during the spring and summer, when projections become actual enrollments. Each year between October and December, current enrollment reports and future projections are presented to the Board of Education to begin budget preparations for the following school year. In late spring, the Administration works with staff to identify and proactively address potential areas of concern. Often, class sizes cannot be finalized until projections become actual enrollments in late summer. Staffing levels are adjusted every year based on student enrollment — even in years when budgetary needs or changes are not under consideration. BPS101's elementary school population has declined 12% since 2017. In a fiscally responsible approach, fewer students generally require fewer teachers. Chart 1: Historical and Projected Enrollment Throughout the year, and especially during the summer, families move in and out unexpectedly. Sometimes enrollments change in pockets of certain neighborhoods or grade levels and cannot easily be predicted. As a result, we cannot accurately predict our staffing needs until enrollments are finalized in late summer. Often, adjusting teacher assignments beforehand is premature — particularly for kindergarten. Guidelines are agreed-upon parameters used to balance class sizes, staffing, and instructional and budgetary needs. Guidelines differ from a cap — which we do not use — that limits the maximum number of students allowed in a classroom before taking specific measures to reduce class size. Taking into account various conditions and enrollments from year to year, the Board of Education's collective bargaining agreement with the teacher's association establishes a general guideline or goal of 22 students in a grade K-2 classroom, 26 students in a grade 3-5 classroom, and 30 students in a grade 6-12 classroom. These long-standing guidelines are unique to BPS101, although the ranges are comparable to those used by surrounding districts. Chart 2: Average Elementary Class Sizes as of January 21, 2022 See graphs on BPS101's website. (Information excludes specialized programs) Chart 3: Comparison of Average Elementary Class Sizes to Prior Years We are committed to supporting learning and growing. When a class exceeds guidelines, varying levels of support are considered in collaboration with teachers and the Batavia Education Association. Additional supports may include: Small group supportAdditional part-time staffAdditional trainingScheduling supports This press release was produced by Batavia Public School District 101. The views expressed here are the author's own.