Kindergarten Schedule Decision Delayed

After a dozen meetings on the subject of dividing kindergarten classes into morning and afternoon sessions, trustees of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District this week postponed a decision.

District officials propose staggering kindergarten classes at all elementary schools to get twice the use out of each classroom. That would free other rooms at schools, which are expecting 624 more students in the fall than they had last year.

Several parents this week spoke against the idea because, in some cases, classes would be shortened.

“I believe what is being proposed is a reduction in my child’s education,” said Jim Mead, whose children attend Anderson Elementary School.

Many parents said they wanted the board to let each school decide whether to stack classes. Others suggested the board should try to raise money to buy portable classrooms or open schools that are now unused.

“There are a lot of options, and we haven’t heard them all,” said board member Martha Fluor.

The board will discuss the issue again at its meeting on March 26.