Problematic class sizes reduced at Radnor Middle School
RADNOR » As the new school year draws near, administrators updated the Radnor Township School Board Curriculum Committee on class sizes and enrollment.
The budget for 2017-18 included four “watch” teacher positions and, so far, 2.6 of those will be needed, said Maureen McQuiggan, director of secondary teaching and learning.
These included one kindergarten teacher at Radnor Elementary School, a third grade teacher at Wayne Elementary School, a .2 Spanish teacher at Radnor High School, a .2 German teacher and a .2 French teacher at Radnor Middle School. An additional two contracted teachers were added at RMS, she said.
“We’re very fortunate to have teachers who speak more than one language,” said McQuiggan.
Last year there was an outcry from parents over some larger-than-expected class sizes at RMS. This year, the average class size at RMS will be 14.5 students. Out of 754 total classes, 752 have fewer than 25 students or 99.73 percent. However, there are two 8th grade Latin classes with more than 26 students, as well as larger chorus and band classes.
“This is fantastic,” Board Member Lydia calling it “day night from last year.”
McQuiggan said administrators have been working on the class size problem since last October with the help of RHS Principal Dan Bechtold. There was also scheduling support from a software company. said Solomon, and And the counselors worked by hand to make schedule changes toward the end of the process.
Superintendent Ken Batchelor said both the administrative team and the counselors had worked hard to make this happen.
“It’s a lot of moving parts,” said School Board Member Patricia Booker.
When Booker asked if the district was fully staffed, McQuiggan said very nearly. “It’s more difficult to find math teachers than first grade teachers,” McQuiggan said.
Anthony Rybarczyk, director of elementary teaching and learning, said, “At the elementary level we’ve had more applicants than last year.”
The committee also discussed Radnor Elementary School, which is very full. Rybarczyk said they are continuing to watch enrollment with RES at 29, which is the same as last year; Wayne at 29 sections down from 30 last year; and Ithan at 22 sections, which it had last year.
Usually, families enroll kindergarten and first grade pupils at the beginning of the school year, with few students coming into higher grades, said Rybarczyk.
Booker said that with 592 students RES is “jam packed” and “29 classes means every pod space is converted to a classroom and then some.”
She suggested that they make elementary enrollment “a priority discussion this year.”
Solomon asked what would happen if twins come to RES for 4th grade, increasing a class size.
“In the past we have placed a paraprofessional,” said Rybarczyk. “We do look at it and are maintaining watch. We are guided by what our recommendations are at this time.”
“It would just be my preference to add another class,” said Solomon.
Rybarczyk said, “Where would you put it? All the classrooms at this point at RES are full.”
Batchelor said a discussion about RES being at its building capacity will take place during the school year.
“The reality is what we’ve already done is not ideal and it’s gone on for too long,” said Booker.
Roberta Winters, a resident and former teacher, said in the past when new people come into the district they are given the option to send their children to one of the other, less crowded elementary schools.
Gale Morrison, a parent, said that WES parents are “very attuned to how large the school is.” One teacher was moved from 4th grade to 2nd grade, she said, causing larger 4th grade classes.
“Twenty-four to 25 in an elementary school class is not the standard we should be looking for,” said Morrison. She was also concerned about the culture and management at the high school, which she characterized as “too laissez-faire,” and said changes are needed to ensure “calm, quiet study and learning environments.”
While some RHS teachers tell students to put their cell phones away during class, others don’t. Also, “the kids have a lot of free time” and tend to “mill around,” she said. The cafeteria and library are also very noisy.
“It’s not a Montessori school,” Morrison said.
Finance Committee
The finance committee discussed the ongoing issue of finding enough substitute teachers. The district is already working with a staffing company, but the issue remains thorny and it is part of a statewide substitute teacher shortage.
Personnel Director Todd Stitzel said that the topic will be discussed at an upcoming administrators’ retreat.
Susan Michaelson, school board vice president, asked how “aggressive” the district has been in recruiting guest teachers from township residents. Area retirees with knowledge in math and scientific subjects could make ideal substitutes, she said.
The district has attended job fairs and will have tables at events, said Stitzel. Perhaps, yard signs might advertise the openings, as well, he said.
“How can we get to the person who may not be dropping students off at school?” he asked. “We are going to have bigger presence at our functions.” He also planned to reach out to local groups like the Lion’s Club. Buildings will also have substitute teachers assigned to them.
Booker suggested outreach through the alumni association, which has “a ton of email addresses.”
Stitzel said a survey of their substitutes found that the district’s pay rates are competitive.
After the meeting, Michaelson said that a bachelor’s degree and a short training are all that is needed to be a substitute teacher, although they do need to pass security screenings. Many people in the community who want to volunteer might be interested in the part-time work, she said.
The committee also listened to representatives from Public Financial Management and RBC Capital Markets regarding refinancing the district’s variable rate loan. The district could lock in a fixed rate loan or bonds at a low interest rate, according to Zach Willard, with PFM.
In 2000, RTSD took a variable rate loan from the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. The remaining balance on that note is $14.7 million, out of a total of $90 million indebtedness.
With the Federal Reserve Bank likely to increase interest rates in the near future, the district could now lock in a low fixed rate interest rate, saving about $218,000 on the current loan, he said.
The committee asked the financial advisors to come back to their meeting next month with more specific bank proposals.