Concerned Parents Still Fighting Bigger Classes
August 24th, 2007 by Maria EvansOnce again, concerned parents took their case against increased class sizes to the Cape Henlopen School Board last night, at a meeting that drew a larger than usual crowd. Laura Brittingham, parent from Milton Elementary School, who wowed crowds at the last meeting by actually reading the budget, was the first to speak out.
Laura Brittingham, a concerned parent from Milton Elementary School, spoke out last night against larger class sizes for 4th graders.
You can LISTEN to what Mrs. Brittingham had to say about “sacrifice” HERE. And HERE, she offers the Board a little reminder. You can LISTEN to Laura Brittingham’s entire statement to the School Board HERE.
School Superintendent George Stone, left, and School Board President Dr. Wray, right, listen while Jay Ashby gives them a refresher course on the District’s Mission Statement.
Jay Ashby said he was “troubled” by some of the Board’s decisions and reminded Board members that it’s all about the kids in the classroom. He also took the time to refresh the Board on their Mission Statement. You can LISTEN to what Mr. Ashby told the Board HERE.
Melanie Bradley addresses the Cape Henlopen School Board at last night’s meeting.
And Cape parent Melanie Bradley, who attended the June School Board Meeting, reminded the Board that when they met two months ago they called the larger class sizes a “rumor.” You can listen to Mrs. Bradley discuss that HERE. And you can hear her entire statement to the School Board HERE, and it’s really good.
After the parents spoke, Dr. Wray explained that the District was in the middle of a “contraction” and that’s why teachers who leave their positions haven’t been replaced. That’s the situation that has left Milton Elementary short one fourth grade instructor, so class size will be jumping from 19 or 20 from third grade, to 25 or 25 in fourth grade. That “contraction” that Dr. Wray spoke of was also addressed in a letter dated August 14th from Superintendent Stone to parents of District students:
A year ago Cape was facing a three-million-dollar deficit due to the hiring of large numbers of staff on local funds over many years. In one year we have reduced that amount to less than $700,000, and in one more year we will have Cape’s finances in the plus column.
So basically, they’re rectifying their budget problems by not replacing exiting teachers and increasing class size.
And while some parents felt “disappointed,” after taking their case to the Board and obviously losing, Melanie Bradley had a message for the Board during the question and answer period after the parent’s statements. She told the board that not only were there concerned parents from Milton Elementary in the crowd, but parents from Shields Elementary and Rehoboth Elementary also came out in support of keeping the class sizes down, and to “look out.” You can LISTEN to Mrs. Bradley discuss that with Dr. Wray HERE.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:40 am
These mothers are sending a very important message to our community about what quality education is all about.
Any teacher knows well the difference between a class with 26 students and one with 21 students. In terms of having a productive learning environment and classroom management, this is the difference between night and day. These mothers understand this very well.
Unfortunately, Dr. Stone does not understand this, as his spending cut priorities do not demonstrate that he does. Class size must be a top priority.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
[...] whatever that means. They could certainly learn a lesson from the parents in the Cape Henlopen School District who take the board to task on a regular basis. And while I’m at it, I want [...]