More discussion

[Had to step away for a work phone call.]

[More discussion about ELL students.]

Linda: A test score does not necessary indicate that someone is unsuccessful.

Speaker: We are bound to give certain tests at a state level. The tests are that do make it more level are very expensive to give and even more expensive to score. The state is not interested in these smaller groups. They are concerned about the much broader group.

Moderator: A few minutes until the time is up. Should we extend the time? There really has not been any discussion about the school closings.

Steve: I think we should stay until we get our questions answered. One question is on transportation: What are the savings in having students walking 1 to 2 miles?

Transporation Guy: $200,000 saved by having students walk longer distances.

Steve: Who cares about extra curiculars? I do, but the community wants to know.

Speaker: It is around $2 million for extracurricular activities. $1.6 million because $400,000 is being cut.

Steve: We are talking about cutting a lot of teachers. What would be the class sizes that we would have?

Speaker: If we eliminate all 166, variations of classes, staff at particular goal at class size cap. I don't know specifics for caps.

Steve: I'm trying to get a sense of what that is.

Speaker: 25-28 at elementary; more at high school level.

Steve: If we cut back on teachers, then everyone gets 2 hours of study hall. Are we going to be eliminating electives.

Speaker: Given state requirements. Most of kids time in secondary level is taking requirements given the state requirements. Even at study halls we have teachers that supervise the kids. Most kids need almost every hour to get requirements.

Steve: If we find money, where would buying more teachers go? More teachers at elementary? More high school?

Speaker: On average we would expect class size to go up 4.5. If staff comes back, it would come back unevenly. Principals end up with difficult situations in terms of class enrollment sizes. Averages tell a little bit of the story.

Steve: Would there be a significant difference if we are trading off teachers against other options.

Susan: While we are thinking about that. 22 grades k-1; 26 grades 2-3; 34 grades 4-6. There would be 4.5 more students per classroom.

It is all figured out proportionately.