Space Crunch Stalls Class Size Reductions

A lack of space has delayed efforts at some district schools to reduce class size and has caused other schools to hold classes in the library, according to a recent presentation.

At a recent board meeting, staff members told trustees of the Santa Ana Unified School District not to expect all of the district’s elementary schools to reduce their first-grade classes to 20 students until at least December because of a space crunch and other considerations such as funding.

Efforts to reduce class size result from a proposal by Gov. Pete Wilson to spend $650 per student statewide to hire more teachers and reduce class size.

In July, the Santa Ana school board decided to reduce class sizes only in the first grade. Under the governor’s proposal, districts must give that grade first priority.

At Muir Elementary, space was so limited that one class had to be held in a corner of the library, officials said. And at Fremont Elementary, classes were held in a science lab that officials said had been underutilized.

Amid budget fears and the space crunch, school board members hesitantly endorsed efforts to continue reducing class size.

Supt. Al Mijares noted most school districts statewide are making such an attempt.

“I just don’t know how we can be the lone rangers,” he said.