MONROE - There could be one fewer section of first grade next school year in the Monroe school district as low kindergarten enrollment numbers have the school board considering a reduction for 2018-19.
Monroe Business Administrator Ron Olson gave a third Friday enrollment report to school board members Monday. In eight sections of kindergarten classes across three elementary schools in the district, there are 129 students, or an average of 16 students per class. There are three sections of kindergarten classes each at Parkside Elementary School and Northside Elementary School and two sections at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
Olson said the district administrative team may look at a reduction in class sections for next year through attrition later this school year.
"That class really is an anomaly for us," Olson said, referring to this year's 129 students. "In my history of being here, we have not had a class that small."
Monroe District Administrator Rick Waski said no changes would be made to sections of kindergarten classes this year.
"We wouldn't make a reduction in staff," Waski said. "We plan on waiting to see if we lose any staff due to retirement or resignations."
Waski said if there are retirements and resignations at lower elementary teaching positions, the district may decide not to refill them.
Most class sizes in the district range from 160 to 180 students. The largest class sizes are eighth grade at Monroe Middle School (197) and the sophomore class at Monroe High School (196). Other low classes include first grade (150), third grade (154) and second grade (159).
However, with Parkside and Northside having three sections of each grade level and two at Abraham Lincoln, there could be some challenges.
"If we make a reduction because of attrition then you are always having to move a teacher each year," Waski said. "We will wait until the spring. The challenge is come March and April, they (teachers) want to know who will be in their classes and sections."
In Olson's enrollment report, 148 students living in Monroe open enrolled out to another school district. There were 97 students who open enrolled into the Monroe school district. District leaders are determining if they want to increase their open enrollment advertising.
"If we decide we do want to do any more advertising or campaigning, we may have to discuss this at the next meeting before January," Olson said.
Monroe Business Administrator Ron Olson gave a third Friday enrollment report to school board members Monday. In eight sections of kindergarten classes across three elementary schools in the district, there are 129 students, or an average of 16 students per class. There are three sections of kindergarten classes each at Parkside Elementary School and Northside Elementary School and two sections at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
Olson said the district administrative team may look at a reduction in class sections for next year through attrition later this school year.
"That class really is an anomaly for us," Olson said, referring to this year's 129 students. "In my history of being here, we have not had a class that small."
Monroe District Administrator Rick Waski said no changes would be made to sections of kindergarten classes this year.
"We wouldn't make a reduction in staff," Waski said. "We plan on waiting to see if we lose any staff due to retirement or resignations."
Waski said if there are retirements and resignations at lower elementary teaching positions, the district may decide not to refill them.
Most class sizes in the district range from 160 to 180 students. The largest class sizes are eighth grade at Monroe Middle School (197) and the sophomore class at Monroe High School (196). Other low classes include first grade (150), third grade (154) and second grade (159).
However, with Parkside and Northside having three sections of each grade level and two at Abraham Lincoln, there could be some challenges.
"If we make a reduction because of attrition then you are always having to move a teacher each year," Waski said. "We will wait until the spring. The challenge is come March and April, they (teachers) want to know who will be in their classes and sections."
In Olson's enrollment report, 148 students living in Monroe open enrolled out to another school district. There were 97 students who open enrolled into the Monroe school district. District leaders are determining if they want to increase their open enrollment advertising.
"If we decide we do want to do any more advertising or campaigning, we may have to discuss this at the next meeting before January," Olson said.