District 26 working to reduce class sizes

Cary Elementary District 26 has found room in its budget from recent savings to hire a new teacher to reduce class sizes in fifth grade at Three Oaks Elementary School.

The Three Oaks fifth grade was the only grade in the district with an average class size greater than 30. With the additional teacher, the average class size will drop 22 percent. The average class size will drop from 31 to 24 students.

Superintendent Brian Coleman said, said an extra classroom and smaller number of students will provide more time for teachers to support individual needs of fifth-graders.

The new teaching position will be posted on the Internet this week.

After recent financial strains, District 26 has seen improvement, Coleman said. The district has completed its second consecutive year with a balanced budget. The third balanced budget for 2013 will be presented soon for the school board’s approval.

“Our opportunity this year to add back teachers to reduce class size is an indication that things are improving,” Coleman said.

There are 150 teachers in the district. After the addition of a teacher at Three Oaks, the average class size of the whole district will be 26.7 students per class.

“It continues to be the district’s priority to reduce class sizes,” Coleman said.