Don’t Shortchange

Sandy Hook Second Graders

To the Editor:

I support strongly Dr Evan Pitkoff’s request for a new second grade teacher at Sandy Hook School (SHS) as an additional teacher is 1) necessary, 2) justified by the Board of Education’s guidelines, and 3) fair and just treatment for second grade students at SHS.

The statistics quoted in the February 6 article in The Newtown Bee stating SHS average class size to be between 21 and 22 students are misleading when applied to specific grades. According to school district figures as of October 1, 2003, the actual second grade class size average at SHS is 23.8 students per class. The average of the other three Newtown elementary schools is much lower at 18.9 students per second-grade class. Therefore, second grade classes at SHS average 4.9 students per class more than the other Newtown schools (a 25 percent greater class size). Further, at 23.8 students per class, SHS averages 3.8 students more than the Board of Education’s K–2 guideline of up to 20 students per class.

In the event that SHS does not receive the requested second grade teacher, the SHS second grade class size will rise to 24 or more students per class, four students per class above the district guidelines and 4.6 students per class above the other estimated Newtown second grade classes. The third grade class size is also increasing beyond that which is appropriate for proper instruction. It is due to concern with this inadequate level of teaching resources and further concern with the inequity between SHS and other Newtown schools that I attended the last Board of Education meeting. I assume the approximately two dozen other SHS parents in attendance share similar concerns.

While in the past, SHS did not have classroom space available to reduce class size down to the district’s guidelines, this has not been the case more recently as the opening of Reed Intermediate has opened additional classroom space. Sandy Hook School parents pay the same taxes as those whose children attend other elementary schools where class sizes are smaller. It is simply unjust and discriminatory to shortchange the entire class of Sandy Hook School students and parents, in preference to those at other locations, during these critical learning years.

I concur with Diane Sherlock (principal of Newtown Middle School) who, at the last meeting, urged the Board of Education to approve and vote for this school budget as presented. It’s time for our community to support our schools by providing a good and equitable education for all the children of Newtown.

Respectfully,

Martha C. Decker, SHS parent

46 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook                         February 8, 2004