MONROE - It's a simple as 1+1: Monroe is hiring an additional kindergarten teacher to help wrangle the mini baby boom of kindergartners next year.
The school board unanimously approved the position Monday.
So far, there are 180 children confirmed as entering kindergarten in September, Superintendent Larry Brown said - and it's likely there will be more than that who actually enroll.
That number represents a significant increase from this year's kindergarten class of just 139. This year, there's eight kindergarten sections averaging 18 students each. However, with only eight sections and 180 students next year, the district would be looking at an average of 22.5 kindergarteners per classroom. By adding a section, the average will be 20 students per classroom - at least until more students enroll.
The additional teacher will be located at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy, giving each of the three elementary schools three kindergarten sections.
Brown said the additional teacher was identified as a top priority for the district. The position is budgeted at $60,000, which includes salary and benefits.
"The numbers indicate we need another teacher," Finance Committee Chairman Larry Eakins said. "It's plain and simple."
The school board unanimously approved the position Monday.
So far, there are 180 children confirmed as entering kindergarten in September, Superintendent Larry Brown said - and it's likely there will be more than that who actually enroll.
That number represents a significant increase from this year's kindergarten class of just 139. This year, there's eight kindergarten sections averaging 18 students each. However, with only eight sections and 180 students next year, the district would be looking at an average of 22.5 kindergarteners per classroom. By adding a section, the average will be 20 students per classroom - at least until more students enroll.
The additional teacher will be located at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy, giving each of the three elementary schools three kindergarten sections.
Brown said the additional teacher was identified as a top priority for the district. The position is budgeted at $60,000, which includes salary and benefits.
"The numbers indicate we need another teacher," Finance Committee Chairman Larry Eakins said. "It's plain and simple."