“After a lengthy consideration and much strict evaluation, I am ready to endorse Dr. Padalino redistricting plan,” Michael said. “It does not only give all the students the opportunity to be challenged up to their potential, whether they are in AP or special education, it gives the district all the aspects to provide all students educational services and also the financial benefits.”
Michael said he appreciated that the proposal will allow for sports, music and other extracurricular activities to remain intact and that it would also allow for students to have access to full-time librarians, social workers, psychologists and other instructional support. Still, he added, there will always be a down side when cost-cutting plans go into effect.
“It is painful to eliminate any teaching positions because teachers are our fathers and mothers, our family and friends,” he said. “They are not just members in a financial grid log. With great respect and sorrow we will lose some of the best people but it is the right decision for you so we can move forward and do our job to fill the students their dreams and aspirations.”
Though some have criticized the closing of three more elementary schools — Frank L. Meagher was shuttered in June — Padalino said that even though class sizes will grow, his proposal will allow for greater equity across the district.
According to figures presented by Padalino, the average class size at Robert Graves Elementary, which would absorb Anna Devine’s students, would be 22.8, with class sizes 19, 19 and 22 from grades K-2. Crosby Elementary, which would absorb Zena’s students, would average 21.5 students per class, with class sizes of 18, 18 and 19 in grades K-2. Edson Elementary, which would absorb Sophie Finn’s students, would have an average class size of 23.6, with class sizes of 21 in grades K-2. JFK, which beginning in September will include students from the former Meagher attendance zone, will have an average class size of 21, with class sizes of 20, 20 and 24 in K-2. At Chambers, the average class size would be 22, with the same number in grades K-2. At Myer, the average class size would be 23, with 18 students in each of the grades from K-2. George Washington, the district’s only Montessori-based school, has averages of 28 students in each classroom.
The move would also allow for equitable class sizes in middle school, Padalino has said. At J. Watson Bailey, there would be an estimated 1,184 students in 2013-14, the first year of the implementation of the plan. In the fifth grade, 245 students would be spread over nine sections. In the sixth grade, nine sections would cover 225 students. In the seventh grade, 228 students would be in nine sections. And in the eighth grade, 277 students would be in 10 sections.
At M. Clifford Miller Middle School, there would be an estimated 1,141 students in the first year of implementation. In the fifth grade, 271 students would be covered by 10 sections. In the sixth grade, 259 students would be in 10 sections. In the seventh grade, 287 students would be covered by 11 sections. And in the eighth grade, 196 students would be covered by eight sections.
Shaughnessy said he doesn’t believe the equity seen in Padalino’s plan would be possible without the closure of three more schools and the integration of the fifth grade into the middle school level.
“We made the decision to close Meagher Elementary School,” he said. “I don’t think we can equalize class size and educational resources over the remaining 10 buildings that vary in capacity from approximately 230 students to approximately 550 students.”
Shaughnessy said he believes Padalino’s plan strikes an important balance between the needs of the students and the ability of the district’s taxpayers to afford it.
“I do think that the educational benefits of Dr. Padalino’s plan are at least as great as the financial benefits, and the financial benefits are large,” Shaughnessy wrote. “For all of the above reasons, I support the plan.”
