INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: CLASS SIZE

INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS:
CLASS SIZE

EEB (R)

GIFTED AND TALENTED CLASSES

In building the master schedule, a GT class should have a minimum of ten students. The maximum for GT classes can be a bit more flexible, but it is recommended that the class not exceed 25. Flexibility for splitting the class shall be reviewed by the principal.

STAFFING/LEVELING CLASSES

In order to meet the instructional needs of all students within a school, it will be necessary to provide all students with the most conducive learning environment possible. This will in part require the principal to level and balance the class loads for each teacher on the campus.

The principal should make their staffing needs known to the Personnel Department in a timely manner. Regular updates should be provided to the Personnel Department whenever significant enrollment changes occur. Once the decision is made by the Central Office staff to add or delete staffing, the principal should determine the best time to make staffing changes on the campus. The least disruption to the fewest students is best.

The following should occur once the principal has determined the best and most timely approach to making the staffing changes:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

During the first three days of the school year, send a blanket letter to parents regarding the possibility of impending staff changes during the first six weeks of each semester due to enrollment changes or construction. Based on enrollment figures, historical data, enrollment trends, space, special programs, etc., every effort will be made to fully staff schools before six weeks have passed.

Educate entire faculty and staff as to the parameters of 22:1 legislation (K-4^th grades) and 27:1 (5^th grade), and that historical data, enrollment trends, space, special program issues, etc., are part of the decision. Principals should be as specific as possible.

Understand that capping may influence surrounding schools.

A minimum seat count for every teacher may influence staffing decisions.

Budget constraints and availability of qualified personnel with appropriate certification will enter into staffing decisions.

The principal should determine the method to make changes and who is to be involved in the changes at the earliest possible time.

Efforts should be made to avoid moving students and teachers who were moved the previous school year whenever possible; however, North East Board policy must be followed.

Leveling of classes should be planned to cause the least disruption to the students and the schedule of the school.

Volunteers and siblings with the same teacher should be priority moves.

A draft of the schedule changes should be made and presented to the Campus Improvement Committee for review and input.

The teacher(s) involved in the change(s) should be notified as soon as possible of the change, and the date that is can be made public.

The sending and receiving teachers should coordinate the transition with the principal in order to make it as smooth as possible. This includes transfer of grades, outstanding work, goals, and objectives.

The faculty should be informed in order to minimize speculation.

The principal should explain to the students that they will be supported by their new teacher(s).

Parents should be notified of the date of the change in a timely manner, and how it may affect their child.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

During the first three days of the school year, send a blanket letter to parents regarding the possibility impending staff changes during the first six weeks of each semester due to enrollment changes or construction. Based on enrollment figures, historical data, enrollment trends, space, special programs, etc., every effort will be made to fully staff schools before six weeks have past.

Educate entire faculty and staff as to the parameters of the staffing formula, and that historical data, enrollment trends, space, special program issues, etc., are part of the decision. Principals should be as specific as possible.

Understand that capping may influence surrounding schools.

A minimum seat count for every teacher may influence staffing decisions.

Budget constraints and availability of qualified personnel with appropriate certification will enter into staffing decisions.

Teaming issues will be studied wherever possible.

The principal should determine the method to make changes and who is to be involved in the changes at the earliest possible time.

Efforts should be made to avoid moving students and teachers who were moved the previous school year whenever possible; however, North East Board policy must be followed.

Leveling of classes should be planned to cause the least disruption to the students and the schedule of the school.

A draft of the schedule changes should be made and presented to the Campus Improvement committee for review and input.

The teacher(s) involved in the change(s) should be notified as soon as possible of the change, and the date that it can be made public.

The sending and receiving teachers should coordinate the transition with the principal in order to make it as smooth as possible. This includes transfer of grades, outstanding work, goals, and objectives.

The faculty should be informed in order to minimize speculation.

The principal should explain to the students that they will be supported and looked after by their new teacher(s).

Parents should be notified of the date of the change in a timely manner, and how it may affect their child.

If a principal has any questions regarding staffing allocations, the principal should contact the Executive Director of Personnel.

ISSUED DATE: 03/08/99

INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: CLASS SIZE		EEB (R)
GIFTED AND TALENTED CLASSES	In building the master schedule, a GT class should have a minimum of ten students. The maximum for GT classes can be a bit more flexible, but it is recommended that the class not exceed 25. Flexibility for splitting the class shall be reviewed by the principal.
STAFFING/LEVELING CLASSES	In order to meet the instructional needs of all students within a school, it will be necessary to provide all students with the most conducive learning environment possible. This will in part require the principal to level and balance the class loads for each teacher on the campus. The principal should make their staffing needs known to the Personnel Department in a timely manner. Regular updates should be provided to the Personnel Department whenever significant enrollment changes occur. Once the decision is made by the Central Office staff to add or delete staffing, the principal should determine the best time to make staffing changes on the campus. The least disruption to the fewest students is best. The following should occur once the principal has determined the best and most timely approach to making the staffing changes:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS	During the first three days of the school year, send a blanket letter to parents regarding the possibility of impending staff changes during the first six weeks of each semester due to enrollment changes or construction. Based on enrollment figures, historical data, enrollment trends, space, special programs, etc., every effort will be made to fully staff schools before six weeks have passed. Educate entire faculty and staff as to the parameters of 22:1 legislation (K-4^th grades) and 27:1 (5^th grade), and that historical data, enrollment trends, space, special program issues, etc., are part of the decision. Principals should be as specific as possible. Understand that capping may influence surrounding schools. A minimum seat count for every teacher may influence staffing decisions. Budget constraints and availability of qualified personnel with appropriate certification will enter into staffing decisions. The principal should determine the method to make changes and who is to be involved in the changes at the earliest possible time. Efforts should be made to avoid moving students and teachers who were moved the previous school year whenever possible; however, North East Board policy must be followed. Leveling of classes should be planned to cause the least disruption to the students and the schedule of the school. Volunteers and siblings with the same teacher should be priority moves. A draft of the schedule changes should be made and presented to the Campus Improvement Committee for review and input. The teacher(s) involved in the change(s) should be notified as soon as possible of the change, and the date that is can be made public. The sending and receiving teachers should coordinate the transition with the principal in order to make it as smooth as possible. This includes transfer of grades, outstanding work, goals, and objectives. The faculty should be informed in order to minimize speculation. The principal should explain to the students that they will be supported by their new teacher(s). Parents should be notified of the date of the change in a timely manner, and how it may affect their child.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS	During the first three days of the school year, send a blanket letter to parents regarding the possibility impending staff changes during the first six weeks of each semester due to enrollment changes or construction. Based on enrollment figures, historical data, enrollment trends, space, special programs, etc., every effort will be made to fully staff schools before six weeks have past. Educate entire faculty and staff as to the parameters of the staffing formula, and that historical data, enrollment trends, space, special program issues, etc., are part of the decision. Principals should be as specific as possible. Understand that capping may influence surrounding schools. A minimum seat count for every teacher may influence staffing decisions. Budget constraints and availability of qualified personnel with appropriate certification will enter into staffing decisions. Teaming issues will be studied wherever possible. The principal should determine the method to make changes and who is to be involved in the changes at the earliest possible time. Efforts should be made to avoid moving students and teachers who were moved the previous school year whenever possible; however, North East Board policy must be followed. Leveling of classes should be planned to cause the least disruption to the students and the schedule of the school. A draft of the schedule changes should be made and presented to the Campus Improvement committee for review and input. The teacher(s) involved in the change(s) should be notified as soon as possible of the change, and the date that it can be made public. The sending and receiving teachers should coordinate the transition with the principal in order to make it as smooth as possible. This includes transfer of grades, outstanding work, goals, and objectives. The faculty should be informed in order to minimize speculation. The principal should explain to the students that they will be supported and looked after by their new teacher(s). Parents should be notified of the date of the change in a timely manner, and how it may affect their child.
	If a principal has any questions regarding staffing allocations, the principal should contact the Executive Director of Personnel.