Hopkins School District #270

08/12/2009

Question

What are Hopkins elementary class sizes?

Answer

Last year, average elementary class sizes ranged from 22 to 26 students.

Some confusion about elementary class sizes arose when the Hopkins School Board approved raising the class size maximum to 33 students for 4th grade through 6th grade as part of the 2009-10 budget reductions. This may have had an impact on three to four elementary school classrooms. At their May meeting, Hopkins School Board targeted additional dollars-approximately $160,000—at district staffing needs that are generally used to help reduce class sizes. This money will be used to add class sections to grade levels that would be affected by the class size maximum increase.

In addition to the $160,000, the district also is using $460,000 for targeted staffing to address class size issues from its mandated 2 percent staff development set aside. State law mandates that school districts set aside 2 percent of its basic funding formula allowance for staff development, unless there is a vote by the teachers' union to allow school districts to use that money elsewhere. The Hopkins Education Association once again approved allowing the school district to use 1 percent of the set aside, which also will be used for targeted staffing in needed areas throughout the school district.