Grade-alike schools will move ahead

MT. PLEASANT — After many long conversations about switching to grade-alike schools in the Mt. Pleasant Community School District, the school board voted to move ahead with plans beginning in the fall of 2024.

At Monday night’s monthly school board meeting, Superintendent John Henriksen lead a brief discussion on grade-alike school plans before the board voted.

“So, we we've had a lot of conversation about this,” Henriksen stated.

He shared a brief proposal of what he labeled advantages and challenges to the shift.

“So, the proposal advantages, as we see them, are the building leader and the leadership teams at those buildings, at those grade like buildings, will have the ability to focus on practices on developmentally appropriate tools and resources for a much smaller age span than the K-five setting,” Henriksen said.

“That principle and those teachers can focused in on two grades rather than the full span.”

“Another advantage, as we see, is that class sizes can be balanced within school, increasing equity for all students,” he explained.

According to Henriksen, currently, some classes within the Mt. Pleasant Community School District only have between 15-18 students while different schools in the district have class sizes between 24-25.

“Again, I believe it's more equitable and consistent,” Henriksen said Monday evening.

Henriksen named greater ability for equity in special education and socioeconomic elements across the district as a major advantage to the shift into grade-alike school buildings.

“We think there will be an increase, increase in real time collaboration between teachers and common planning for grade level teachers, as well,” he added. “So, you can have real time conversations with teachers who are teaching the same grade level.”

Henriksen did address some of the perceived challenges.

“I know you've seen many of the challenges,” he said. “ … So, transportation is a big one. Transportation for families and students have more than one building. We know that that's something that we are going to have to make accommodations for: additional training transitions K-five.”

“Something else that has sum up frequently is additional transitions for our special education students,” Henriksen said. “That those are students with the highest needs and will be transitioning them with two different buildings, but with their grade.”

Following Henriksen’s brief presentation, the board voted in favor of the proposal.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com