Smaller K-2 Classes Are in the Works

Buena Park School District students from kindergarten to second grade will find themselves in smaller classes next year.

To handle the impact on already crowded classrooms, the district will study the possibility of year-round schedules at some schools, where different segments of the student body are on staggered vacation schedules. Boundary changes and even a possible bond measure on the November ballot are all options district officials will consider over the next six to 12 months.

About 100 parents who crammed into the Governing Board’s meeting room Monday night burst into applause at the unanimous decision to take advantage of the state’s expanded class-size reduction program.

Many said they also were relieved that officials decided to keep the district’s day-care program, even though it uses scarce space at some schools.

Instead, the district will order 22 portable classrooms under lease-purchase plans that will vary in cost, Assistant Supt. George Cottrell said. Sixteen new teachers will have to be hired for the smaller classes.

District administrators said that new housing developments in the area mean that crowding is going to be an issue even without the reduced class sizes.

Supt. Carol Riley asked that a study committee begin looking at how the district would implement year-round schedules. She also said the committee needs to think about transferring about 100 students from Carl E. Gilbert Elementary School to Mabel L. Pendelton Elementary.

Parents attending the meeting said they were just happy their children would be in smaller class sizes next year.

“My son struggled a bit in kindergarten because his class had 35 kids in it,” parent Bryan Meek said. “Next year, my younger son will be going into kindergarten, and I hope it’s easier for him.”