School District Could See Dip in Average Class Sizes

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While the Cherokee County School board adopted a resolution implementing class size exemptions for the 2015-16 school year, the system is expecting to see average class sizes decrease “across all grade levels next year,” according to the summary of the board’s meeting on Thursday.

The reduction fulfills a budget priority set by Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo and the board.

Petruzielo explained that, as the school district is in the process of applying to the state to become a Strategic Waiver System (formerly known as “IE2”), the waivers will be needed for flexibility in regard to the 2015-16 budget, which is in the final stages of preparation.

To bring all class sizes into state maximum compliance would require the district to hire 170 additional teachers.

“Without waivers next year, we would have to hire 170 teachers, at a cost of $12 million, to bring every classroom across the district into compliance,” the superintendent said. “The irony is that $12 million is also the same amount of money we have earned in state revenue next year and will not receive due to continued state ‘austerity’ budget cuts.

“We hope that the rest of the austerity budget cuts go away for 2016-17, and that we receive all the funding we have earned,” Petruzielo continued. “But, the state is likely to revise the funding formula, which may result in a ‘new normal’ where our state funding is $12 million less — on a permanent basis.”

The school district is projecting:

Kindergarten

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 23.7*
• Class size maximums: 20
• Class size maximum with waiver: 26
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 22.4
  
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -1.3

First grade

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 24.9*
• Class size maximums: 21
• Class size maximum with waiver: 28
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 22.7
  
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -2.2

Second grade

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 24.8*
• Class size maximums: 21
• Class size maximum with waiver: 28
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 22.9
  
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -1.9

Third grade

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 24.7*
• Class size maximums: 21
• Class size maximum with waiver: 28
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 23.7
  
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -1

Fourth grade

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 30.6*
• Class size maximums: 28
• Class size maximum with waiver: 35
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 28.4
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -2.2

Fifth grade

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 30.7*
• Class size maximums: 28
• Class size maximum with waiver: 35
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 28.5
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -2.2

Grades 6-8

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 29.7*
• Class size maximums: 28
• Class size maximum with waiver: 35
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 27.4
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -2.3

Grades 9-12

• Average class size for 2014-15 school year: 33.1*
• Class size maximums: 32
• Class size maximum with waiver: 35
• Projected 2015-16 class size average: 31.5
• Class size difference between 2014-15 and 2015-16: -1.6

*denotes average as of Aug. 29, 2014

During the regular meeting, Petruzielo also recognized two new administrative appointments approved by the board: Jennifer Hall, assistant principal at Ball Ground ES STEM Academy and Jillian Nichols, assistant principal at Clark Creek ES STEM Academy.

The school board also took the following actions at its May 7 meeting:

• Recognized the 2015 Duke Talent Identification Program students who received State and Grand level recognition;
• Recognized 2015 Georgia Scholars;
• Recognized 2015 Governor’s Honors Finalists;
• Recognized Kristen Brooks as PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator;
• Recognized High School Region and State Technology Fair Winners;
• Recognized the State winners of the SkillsUSA competition;
• Recognized Creekview High School students Callisa Ruschmeyer and Meghan Nay as recipients of the 2015 Waste Management Scholarship;
• Recognized Dieter Hartman as Recipient of the State Department of Education Award of Excellence;
• Approved monthly financial reports;
• Approved out-of-state professional development;
• Approved out-of-state and overnight student field trips;
• Approved the monthly update on Capital Outlay Projects; and
• Approved monthly personnel recommendations.

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