Fairfield School Board approves first reading of new class size policy

The ambiguity of class size policy language was again discussed at the Fairfield Community School District's board of directors meeting.

At their Dec. 2 meeting, the board of directors held their organizational meeting and continued their discussion on classroom size policy, passing a first reading of a revised Class Size-Class Regrouping policy with the understanding that the board would continue discussion at a subsequent work session.

With official canvassing numbers from the November school board election, new board members Timothy Bower, John McKerley and Margo Von Strohuber took over seats from Paul Miller, Jennifer Anderson and Warren Shaeffer at the board's organizational meeting. Christi Welsh, a current member, was reelected for another term on the board. All four members serve at-large seats.

Following the oath of office for new and reelected members, Debi Plum was also reelected to continue her role as the board president, with Frank Broz elected to serve as vice president.

The new board's discussion on class size policy follows a failure to pass a first reading of the revised policy at the October board meeting.

The new proposed policy gives the school board 'sole discretion … to determine the size of classes,” and states that the board will review class sizes annually. It also states that the superintendent has the responsibility 'to make a recommendation to the board on class size based upon the financial condition of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed employees, and other factors deemed relevant to the board.”

The current policy states the district should 'strive to maintain the state goal of 17 regular program students to every one teacher,” for grade levels kindergarten through third grade.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Washington Elementary School kindergarten teachers Julie Rayburn and Shelbee Richards presented on how larger class sizes affect their ability to teach students and urged the board to develop a policy that provides a defined number on class sizes, particularly with younger elementary school students.

Rayburn, who has a class of 25 students said, 'Washington is not the same as the other schools. We are laying the foundation for little learners. 3 to 7-year-olds have different needs than older kids so please respect the individualized attention our little students need, and if you don't follow a class size policy for the entire district, please make and follow a class size policy for Washington. We appreciate you hiring a full-time general associate for each kindergarten classroom. However, next year, please have a set number policy so that children do not have to go an entire semester they get the attention they need and deserve.”

As the board entered discussion about revisions to the class size policy alongside 13 other policies undergoing revisions, Broz recognized that the class size policy pits 'different district goals … against each other,” namely the financial health of the district and its ability to hire more personnel to keep class sizes small.

'I think it's important to use those district goals when forming the policy and our first goal of student success … is on everyone's mind when they're considering this but I'm not seeing some recognition of that in the policy … one way to recognize student success is with a specific number backed up by academic research … and balancing that with financial health,” Broz said.

Plum pointed out that the district has not followed the current policy for many years and that the board 'has to think of finances, unfortunately.”

'The state doesn't have a policy, they have a goal. I think having a goal may not be a bad thing, but I don't know if you can have a goal in a policy,” Plum added. Ultimately, Plum suggested the board as a whole review the language of the policy at a coming work session.

When called to a vote, board members Kelly Scott and John McKerley voted against the approval of the first reading, with all other members voting in favor.

Following adjournment of the regular meeting, the board went into closed session to evaluate 'the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”

Fred McElwee, who served as the director of auxiliary services in the district for 14 years before retiring in 2014, gave a public comment on the closed sessions, saying, 'I feel like I can address the issue of worth ethic, commitment, knowledge and capabilities of the district's maintenance staff.”

McElwee noted that in his time as director, he was charged with hiring staff, including a carpenter and electrician.

'My goal was to find individuals who were competent in their expertise, but more importantly, able to contribute and become a part of a team which could collaborate, share their knowledge, work with people, provide leadership and make Fairfield Community Schools better. In my opinion, and with feedback from others, I was successful in these hires” McElwee explained.

The retired director expressed concern at the potential action of the board in calling a closed session to evaluate the employment of certain individuals on the maintenance staff.

'I'm concerned about the direction the district leadership has taken. Decisions have been made regarding the district's maintenance staff that I think need to be questioned and more research needs to be undertaken into the ‘why' this action is being considered,” he said.

McElwee ultimately encouraged the board to further investigate the issues presented to them before making any permanent decisions. Following the meeting Superintendent Laurie Noll noted that no actions were taken on issues discussed in close session.