SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS: SOME CLASS SIZES WILL BECOME LARGER

Budget reductions approved by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education will mean larger class sizes for some secondary students during the 1998-99 school year.

Board members Monday froze spending and approved a number of cuts in an effort to reduce the next school budget by some $1 million. The tighter spending is to correct deficit spending that has occurred since 1995.

In all, $611,000 in budget reductions will become effective July 1, when the next fiscal year begins. A portion of the savings is available because the school board voted not to fill a number of employee positions left open due to retirement or resignation. At least five secondary teaching positions will not be filled next year, nor will the technology coordinator position left vacant since Chris Cook resigned in March.

Assistant superintendent William Biggerstaff said the board's decision will mean larger class sizes for students attending Louis J. Schultz and Central junior and senior high schools. The increases will not be noticeable in every class, nor are they expected to impact learning or teacher impact significantly.

Although class sizes are expected to increase in math, social-studies and English classes, Biggerstaff said science classes likely will remain unchanged because laboratory facilities won't accommodate more than about 25 students.

"Class sizes will increase in our core areas for grades seven through 12," he said. "There would be a possibility that they could go up to 30 students, but it's not an automatic given that every class will be at 30."

The school district has worked to decrease class sizes in recent years and has met the state average of 23 students since the 1995-96 school year. That is well below the average of 28 students recommended as a desirable standard and 33 students designated as a minimum standard by the Missouri School Improvement Program.

"We've gotten those numbers down, but due to the financial situation we've had to make some adjustments," said Biggerstaff. "Every class will be larger, but it's very difficult when building a schedule to predict what every class will be. We do know there will be at least 12 students in our electives and no more than 30 students in the core classes."

Administrators emphasized that the larger class sizes and other effects of the budget reductions are short-term solutions to resolve the school district's financial situation. Board members and district patrons have indicated in comprehensive, long-term plans for the district that class sizes should be reduced to enhance learning opportunities.

"I did not feel in any way the board suggested these recommendations would be considered in the long term," said Biggerstaff. "Many schools have these types of (larger) class sizes, and students still achieve at a high level. We have very good teachers in this district who have always looked at providing additional ways to improve learning, and I'm sure this won't affect their level of instruction in the short term."