After nearly a year of debate, the board adopted the first update to the district’s policy in 10 years at the June meeting.
Since September, class size has been a hot topic of discussion at nearly every Moorestown Township Board of Education meeting. After nearly a year of debate, the board adopted the first update to the district’s policy in 10 years at the June meeting.
The update states the desired class size maximum is “not to exceed” 25 students in elementary grades with the exception of 22 students in kindergarten. Also, under the new policy, the superintendent must notify the Board of Education at its next meeting if a class size falls outside of the outlined range.
Between the board’s April and June meetings, the policy was changed to eliminate the word “generally.” At the board’s May meeting, several teachers expressed their concerns that the word left some leeway for the administration to exceed cap sizes.
Superintendent Scott McCartney said based on feedback from staff, parents and board members the word “generally” was stricken from the update to protect the class size guidelines.
“I’m pleased to see that the process yielded a lot of conversation,” McCartney said.
As of the June meeting, the district has sufficient enrollment data to recognize it will need to add a kindergarten section for next school year, McCartney said.
Board member Brandon Pugh said the policy committee’s goal in looking at the policy in the first place was to ensure the current policy was codified. While the superintendent was not required to notify the board or public when class sizes exceeded the guidelines, it had become a common practice for the superintendent to do so. He said the update outlines a clear process for the superintendent to follow.
“Our intent with this policy is not to see class size increase,” Pugh said.
Under the policy, the superintendent prepares the guidelines for class size taking into account subject matter, ability of students, availability of aides and a number of other factors. The guidelines can be waived to “accommodate the demands of a temporary increase in enrollment, fiscal and/or physical limitations to the district,” according to the policy.
Moorestown Education Association President Lisa Trapani said she appreciated that the board listened to the MEA’s concerns and maintained the 25 and 22 student limits. She said while these are good steps, class size should still be lower.
“We will always petition to have lower class sizes,” Trapani said.
In other news:
- The board recognized 17 retirees, including Deborah Atherholt, Dirck McDowell, Dr. Leisa Karanjia, Karen Mogel, Kathleen Lipinski, Laurel Hiller, Linda Mandeville-Kerth, Marion Mourey, Michael Sutcliffe, Norma Wright, Pamela Keller, Phillip Ryan, Richard Thompson, Sharon Kelbaugh, Stella Hearn and Julia Fraser. Combined, this year’s retirees have logged more than 400 years in the Moorestown school district.
- During the evening’s pageant of success, the eighth-grade baseball team at William Allen Middle School was recognized for finishing the 2018 season with a 13–0 record. The team advanced to the North Division where it earned the №1 seed in the playoffs and won the South Jersey Middle School League Championship. This is the first year a WAMS team has won the championship since joining the South Jersey Baseball League in 2005.
- The next meeting of the Moorestown Township Board of Education has not been announced.
