District 15 class size formula needs work

I am writing to express concern with the large class sizes in several District 15 schools. In my child's school (Lake Louise), each third grade class has 30 or more children. The administration claims it is not their fault; classroom numbers have been allocated to meet the Board of Education average target goals.

But, it is also not the Board's fault, because assignment of classroom numbers per grade is left to each school. As everyone points fingers, our children's education suffers.

The Board-mandated process used to allocate the number of classrooms to each school doesn't provide adequate contingency plans when a school experiences an unexpectedly high enrollment in a single grade long after the District made its initial allocation of classroom numbers.

An example: 16 new third graders enrolled at Lake Louise during the month of August, leaving all third grade classrooms with 25 percent or more students than the Board target. But, with first and second grades at or just under target, the average class size for grades 1-3 combined still meets the Board target. Second grade at Sanborn is facing a similar situation - maybe there are others - and parents and kids are told nothing can be done.

Perhaps it is time for the Board to re-evaluate how classrooms are allocated and to immediately institute a 20 percent cap - so no grade level in any District 15 school could have 20 percent or more students than the Board target in every classroom. This would address unequal and unexpected enrollments and allow latitude to hire additional teachers when necessary.

The District 15 Board of Education meets Sept. 10. I will be there to address the Board in person. I encourage other concerned residents to do the same, and to sign the "Smaller Class Sizes" petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/ccsd15classsizepetition?e. The education of our children IS our future.

Beth Weeden

Palatine