Anonymous wrote:Sorry. I cannot believe that any school should have 37 to 1. There is something missing in this story. Is this a regular classroom?

As I read the original post, there is an assistant in the room, so the staff to student ratio is 19:1.

Sorry. I cannot believe that any school should have 37 to 1. There is something missing in this story. Is this a regular classroom?

Anonymous wrote:What specials does this school have. Does it have FLES? That takes up a teaching slot right there.

This is not correct. The staffing ratios for classroom teachers are based on the number of kids, plus things like Title I limits. FLES is allocated based on it's own ratio, and that ratio is based on the number of kids in the program at the school (so kindergarteners aren't counted if they aren't in the program), and it's between 400:1 and 500:1 (something like that). The ratios are all listed in the budget documents.

What specials does this school have. Does it have FLES? That takes up a teaching slot right there.

It's my understanding that the PYA cannot fund teachers' salaries. The PTA can contribute money to other things at the school to free up money for teachers' salaries.

Half right. PTA cannot fund teachers' salaries--and money for teachers' salaries won't be found by freeing up money for other things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class size was the number one complaint to Dr. Garza. I'm not sure what else parents can do. They've already spoken.

According to one of the posters, we just need to fund the salary for an additional person.

It's my understanding that the PYA cannot fund teachers' salaries. The PTA can contribute money to other things at the school to free up money for teachers' salaries.

That would be about $80,000 for one grade to fund? Not sure that's ever going to happen.

Anonymous wrote:Class size was the number one complaint to Dr. Garza. I'm not sure what else parents can do. They've already spoken.

Eliminate useless programs.

Citizenship or green card verification.

Anonymous wrote:Class size was the number one complaint to Dr. Garza. I'm not sure what else parents can do. They've already spoken.

According to one of the posters, we just need to fund the salary for an additional person.

Class size was the number one complaint to Dr. Garza. I'm not sure what else parents can do. They've already spoken.

Anonymous wrote:The principal probably does not want to make waves with his cluster director and demand another teacher. Also, it may be that every class is close to maximum. This is one of those issues that could use publicity.

I can assure you that's not how it works. Principals have no problem sharing what they need with their cluster assistant superintendent (not director) who then advocates for their principals with Human Resources. That's where the buck stops. HR holds the staffing ratios and gives approval for additional teachers.

Anonymous wrote:Believe me you don't want tons of parents in there with the teachers. On average, half will be annoying or dim. The teacher aid option is better, at least the students will get consistent instruction. Can parents band together to fund one for the class, even if part time?

Haha...good luck in getting ALL the parents to contribute $$$. Most counties will not supply an aid unless there are at least 37 students. So let's see.....

1. Parents volunteer to help out.
2. Parents contribute $$$ to help fund salary for a teacher's aid.
3. Everyone just whines on DCUM about it, and nothing gets done about it.

I think that #3 is most likely to occur. In this tri-state, most parents are working full-time. There are some parents who are willing to use their vacation time to help out at the school. There are many who think you are crazy for suggesting that. Oh well...it is what it is. If you choose to do nothing, don't expect miracles and don't complain because you have a hand in this as well. Don't put it all on the teachers. Wake up from that dream of outsourcing your child's education so you just have to do the basics of food and shelter.

The principal probably does not want to make waves with his cluster director and demand another teacher. Also, it may be that every class is close to maximum. This is one of those issues that could use publicity.

Kindergarten is a separate staffing ratio from the other grades, so I'm not sure they can reallocate resources away from K to other grades easily. Wolftrap's smallest class size this year per staffing ratios in grades 1-6 was 26 students and largest was 32. There just isn't a lot of play when staffing ratios are already almost 27 students per teacher.

IME, it comes down to the principal and how he/she chooses to spend the money. Under old principal, all kindergarten classes were 28+ kids for years and years. Under new principal, all kinders are 22 kids (with the same total number of kids). I don't know what compromises new principal made, but somehow, he's decided to cut other things and reduce class sizes in many of the grades.