Letter: Mr. Clifford’s wish

Posted 5/23/18

To the editor:

Here we go again! “The BSC Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead” should be the title of the recent, sadly predictable annual FTM showdown foisted on taxpayers as …

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Letter: Mr. Clifford’s wish

Posted

To the editor:

Here we go again! “The BSC Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead” should be the title of the recent, sadly predictable annual FTM showdown foisted on taxpayers as described on the front page of this paper. “Cuts in Home economics classes, all freshman sports, an instructional coach for kindergarten through third grade, and some additional positions would be eliminated.” Will these shenanigans ever end? 

I suggest a less drastic, more pragmatic approach to trim the budget. Optimize class sizes that are reasonable and fair to kids and taxpayers!

Class size matters, right? Well, of course it does. Some (not all) research supports a lower class size in the elementary grades to a greater extent than let’s say a high school AP course. If you’d like to do a “deep dive” into a data-driven meta-analysis (unlike the recent sleepy junk science) on what current best educational practice suggests, I recommend John Hattie’s book, “Visible Learning” to all to see what it says about the real effects of class size. But is there a “magic number” or teacher-student ratio in say Kindergarten? First grade?

Of course not. The recommended class size by R.I.D.E. in Early Childhood classes (Pre-K to second grade) are no more than 24 students per class and a ratio of 1-12, adults to students, (the Barrington Teacher Association contract specifies no class size limits in any grade). So where do the BSC and superintendent stand regarding this year’s proposed budget? And how could we realize Mr. Clifford’s nearly $500k savings? 

In a recent presentation to the Active Listening Unit (remember this is the new form of C.O.A.), the BSC rolled out the following recommendations regarding class size at Sowams, Primrose and Nayatt Schools for Kindergarten and first grade:

Elementary Class Sizes 

Sowams 2018-19

All Day Kindergarten

Total Students — 57

# of Classes — 3

Avg. Class size — 19

First Grade

Total Students — 60

# of Classes — 3

Avg. Class size — 20

Nayatt 2018-19

All Day Kindergarten — Fuller’s Proposed Changes

Total Students 67 — 67

# of Classes 4 — 3

Avg. Class size 17 — 22 

First Grade

Total Students 67 — 67

# of Classes 4 —

Avg. Class size 17 22

Primrose Hill 2018-19

All Day Kindergarten — Fuller’s Proposed Changes

Total Students 72 — 72

# of Classes 4 — 3

Avg. Class size 18 — 24

First Grade

Total Students 72 — 72

# of Classes 4 — 3

Avg. Class size 18 — 24

* Anticipated savings are approximately $450,000 due to consolidation of two kindergarten and two first grade classes at Nayatt and Primrose Hill

Could you agree the “Proposed Changes” provide a scenario that still offers a “safe, educationally sound and economically pragmatic solution”? And could I ask Mrs. Brody, the Superintendent and the BSC for once, to sharpen their pencils and give us a break; even for one year? 

Albus Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame said, "Soon we must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy." It’s now time for the BSC to do what is right! And for those who fret over such a change, I would challenge you to prove to my fellow citizens and me that a ratio (which includes a teacher and teacher assistant in each class) of 1/12 is significantly worse than a 1/9 ratio? 

The school budget hasn’t been well scrutinized this year thanks to the new ALU. Will this feckless, agenda driven, partisan group be willing to support this scenario at the FTM and protect our tax dollars? 

Is it unreasonable to expect a little common sense and some realistic expectations? Mrs. Flanders has it right. We live in a town with an exceptional school system albeit with its concomitant excessive tax burden. This is one scenario in which Mr. Clifford’s wish could come true.

Scott Fuller

Barrington

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.