BOARD POLICY 343.2

343.2 - Class Size

Class size should enable a student’s educational experience by facilitating design of quality instruction, an appropriate learning environment and attention to individual student needs. It is the intent of the District to keep class sizes as optimal in size as the population, space, staffing, and financial resources permit.  Class size will vary from grade-to-grade and building-to-building.  

Many factors are considered in the establishment of class size.  Every effort will be made to maintain classes at a sound educational level; however, this provision should in no way interfere with the ability of the Board of Education and administration to utilize alternative forms of instruction per the strategic plan and/or make necessary fiscal decisions for the overall health of the District:

• At the early childhood (EC) level, student to adult ratio shall not exceed 1:9. Class size minimum will be determined by the Director of Special Education/Pupil Services in consideration of individual student needs and programming identified in Individual Education Plans (IEP).
• At the four-year old kindergarten (4K) level, student to adult ratio shall not exceed 1:9.  Class size minimum will be determined collaboratively with the District and the Director of the community partner site and/or the District Administrator in collaboration with the administrator overseeing the 4K programming.
• At the elementary level (grade levels 5K-5), the minimum class size shall be an enrollment of fifteen (15) students. Recommendations on staffing and assignment of students to schools will be made annually per the process outlined in the related Administrative Rule.
• At the secondary level (grade levels 6-12), the minimum class size shall be an enrollment of fifteen (15) students unless prior approval has been granted by the District Administrator using the process outlined in the related Administrative Rule.  
• For District-approved alternative programming such as Crossroads and General Education Diploma Option 2 (GEDO), minimum class size will be determined by the District Administrator and/or his/her designee annually in collaboration with the program coordinator(s) and the applicable administrator in consideration of specific student needs.  

Class size may be altered subject to the approval of the District Administrator in matters such as physical facilities, safety factors and/or staff availability.  

Legal Ref.:              Section 118.51(5), Wisconsin State Statues

Cross Ref.:             AR343.2 – Class Size

                              Board Policy 423 – Open Enrollment Program

                              AR423 – Open Enrollment Program

                              Board Policy 432.1 - Intra-District Transfer Policy

                              Administrative Rule 432.1 - Intra-District Transfer Policy

Approved:              June 19, 1997

Reviewed:              November 1, 2006

Revised:                 May 16, 2013

Revised:                 February 23, 2017