Class size down in U-46, rigor up

On the heels of two straight days of administration cuts, Superintendent Jose Torres outlined new staffing standards for Elgin Area School District U-46's 53 schools Monday.

The standards, designed to increase efficiency and academic performance, also aim to save U-46 about $900,000 next school year by "right-sizing" various needs.

The plan, Torres said, contains four components: lowering class sizes, increasing rigor, providing middle school students extra support and allowing schools greater staffing flexibility.

Torres proposed lowering the target student-to-teacher ratio to 25:1 in general education kindergarten- through third-grade classes and 28:1 in fourth- through sixth-grade classes. Current targets are set at 28:1 for kindergarten- through second-grade classes and 29:1 for third- through sixth-grade classes.

"It is important to note," he wrote in a Jan. 27 memo to school principals, "that these are guidelines only. We will continue to follow the (union) contract in placing teaching assistants in classrooms, but believe that the new guidelines will decrease the need for assistants."

Along with lowering class size targets, Torres said the "tier concept" for staffing and budgeting will be eliminated next year.

Currently, district schools with higher numbers of low-income students have lower class size targets than those with a more affluent student population.

"I'm pleased with eliminating the tier system," board member Amy Kerber said. "I think it sends the message that every school's a priority."

For elementary schools that don't have enough classrooms space available to lower class sizes, Torres said he intends to provide "floating" teachers to assist various classrooms as needed.

At each of the district's eight middle schools, three extra staff members will be added next year to add and supplement programs.

They include a guidance counselor, a study skills instructor and a foreign language instructor. None of the district's middle schools currently offer foreign language courses.

Students in the district's School Within A School gifted program will be ensured a seat when transferring from the elementary to middle school program, Torres said. Under the current system, SWAS students must retest in order to stay in the program at the next academic level.

Across elementary and middle schools, Torres said, Title I federal funding for low-income students will be distributed to a greater number of schools.

Rigorous high school courses will be a top priority in terms of staffing at the high school level, Torres said.

A minimum of 24 students will no longer be needed to have Advanced Placement courses. Last year, Torres said, 18 students wanted to attend a Latin AP course, and the course was not offered because of the low number.

"We don't want that to happen anymore," he said.

Additionally, the size of incoming freshman classes in the district's five specialized academies will increase from 25 to 30 students.

Programs for English Language learners will be added at Glenbrook and Hanover Countryside elementaries in Streamwood. Both schools have space available, Torres said, and by opening those programs, the district can help free space in other buildings.

Autism programs will be offered at Centennial Elementary in Bartlett and Sunnydale Elementary in Streamwood.

To afford these programs, Torres said, resources will be shifted away from the district's central office and into the classroom. In December, Chief Financial Officer John Prince has said, U-46 began a number of aggressive cutbacks at district headquarters, expected to save $2.7 million.

"The theme of the last few weeks has been to focus on schools and accountability," Torres said."-We need to make sure the resources and the funds are supporting evidence-based practices."