Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 07/22/1996 All articles from this issue

New state budget allows LASD to reduce class size

printer friendly version

By Kristina Allen / Town Crier Staff Writer

The Los Altos School District (LASD) will take advantage of the state budget's class size reduction plan on the first day of school, Aug. 28.

Trustees gave their approval to the plan at their July 15 meeting. All first, second and third grade students will be in classes with 20 or fewer pupils. By capping the classes at 20, the district becomes eligible for incentive payments from the state that will pay most of the costs of the additional teachers needed.

The state budget includes $771 million for class size reduction. Within LASD, 18 additional teachers will be needed, three at each of the six elementary schools. New relocatable classrooms have been ordered, but principals are making contingency plans for other places to put the classes in case the new classrooms are not available on the first day of school.

According to Superintendent Marge Gratiot, the district can afford to take advantage of the incentive money only because of income from the parcel tax.

"Without the parcel tax, our class size would be so high we could not afford to hire enough teachers to reduce class size to the state required maximum of 20," she said. "We are really fortunate to have this support from the community."

The parcel tax was approved by Los Altos voters in 1990. Property owners pay a tax on the plot or parcel of land to fund LASD schools. The district has already hired many of the 18 new teachers and expects to have the hiring process completed by the end of July.

Although the incentive payments from the state pay most of the costs of the additional teachers needed, they do not cover the costs of additional classrooms to house the students. Also not covered is additional custodial time, classroom furniture, teaching materials and classroom aides.

"Some changes will cost the general fund some money," Gratiot said. "But we know our parents and community have class size as their highest priority, and will give us any extra help or support we need."