180 Days of Learning : FOUNTAIN VALLEY

New portable classrooms are among improvements the district is making to reduce class size this year in the primary grades.

Third-grade classes will be reduced this fall to 20 students for every teacher. First- and second-grade classes were reduced last year, and kindergarten is next on the district’s list as state funds become available.

School board trustees said they are pleased with recent test-score improvements among second-graders--an indication that smaller classes are more effective.

“You can just go into a classroom, second or third grade, the noise level alone was dramatically reduced,” said Larry R. Crandall, school board president.

Crandall said smaller classes also mean closer ties between teachers and students. “These are lifelong relationships in some regards. When you are that young, you don’t forget people.”

Also new this fall will be capital improvements made possible by money from the sale of some school district property. Parking lots and roofs are being replaced, and buildings are getting new paint.

“We are getting everything spruced up for the start of the year,” Crandall said.

The school board will start the year with a new member. Tony McCombs, a parent active in PTA and as a volunteer, will succeed Barbara A. Vogel, who moved with her family to Atlanta.