In an attempt to improve student performance, the Board of Education has adopted the following guidelines regarding class size in the school district. Effective for the beginning of the 2002/03 school year, the Board began the implementation of the guidelines listed below in an attempt to decrease class size primarily in the elementary grades K-3. Grades 4-5 may also be impacted by the guidelines.

Transfer of Current Students

• • Problem areas that meet maximum class size standards in existing grade levels in all buildings will be identified. Attempts will be made to correct the problems by relocating children in those buildings at the end of the school year. Information will be distributed as soon as possible to all parents whose child has been impacted by policy. Transfers will be made based on the following:
    

1. 1. 1. Requests will be made for a voluntary move by any affected child.
      2. If moves still need to be made by the district, any relocation will be based on the student’s proximity to the school of relocation.
      3. Whenever possible, siblings will not be separated for relocation to other buildings.

• • Notifications of transfers to parents will be made as soon as final personnel needs and enrollment projections have been approved by the Board. It is desired that transfers would only take place one time during a student's stay in Grades 1-5.

Kindergarten Class Size/Assignment

• • Future class sizes will be influenced by procedures implemented through the kindergarten registration/assignment process. The following procedures and policies will go into effect for the 2002/03 school year:

1. 1. 1. Registration will take place at all buildings, but building assignments will not be finalized until June 30th.
      2. A kindergarten orientation session will be held in May at a central location. Kindergarten open-house programs at individual buildings will take place after final assignments have been made.
      3. Special needs and requests for special placement due to child care needs must be made at the time of student registration, prior to June 30th.
      4. Placement of students registering for kindergarten will be at the discretion of the school district.
      5. The need for any additional sections due to enrollment will be made after June 30th.

Assignment of Newly Enrolled Students (K-5)

• • New students (move-ins and transfers from other school districts) to Solanco will be assigned to classes and/or buildings based on existing class sizes at the time of the student’s registration. Enrollment in any specific building based on home location is not guaranteed by the school district. Assignment of the student to a specific building will be reviewed and made as soon as possible after the date of registration. Final assignment will be at the discretion of the school district.

Maximum Class Size

• • Once enrollment in a class reaches its maximum, no additional students will be added to that class. Balancing of all sections in a building or attendance area will then be attempted. If all sections in a building are closed due to maximum enrollment, the student will be relocated to another building.

Classroom Aides

• • Once enrollment in a K-3 class has reached 26 students, a part-time
    (20 hour) instructional aide may be hired for the class.
    
  • Once enrollment in a 4th or 5th grade class has reached 29 students, a part-time (20 hour) instructional aide may be hired for the class.

Review/Revision of Guidelines

• • The Board of Education reserves the right to review and revise, if necessary, the above listed guidelines.