Split Kindergarten Classes to Be Discussed

The Board of Education is set to vote today on a controversial proposal to split kindergarten classes so that one group of children would attend a morning session and a second group would use the same classroom later in the day.

Officials of Newport-Mesa Unified School District have said that using one room for two classes a day would be one way to accommodate a projected increase in new students.

Newport-Mesa schools are expecting to enroll nearly 1,000 new students next fall. Most of those students will be in kindergarten and the first grade, according to a consultant hired by the district.

Many parents are unhappy with the idea of staggering kindergarten classes, saying that the arrangement would have a negative effect on the quality of the education their children receive.

Some schools have said they will have to reduce the amount of time kindergarten students are in the classroom to be able to accommodate two classes.

District officials, however, have said that one school in the district has successfully staggered its kindergarten class for years. They also point out that staggering classes frees up space for other uses.

The school board meeting is at 7 p.m. at Harper Community Center, 425 E. 18th St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 760-3500.