Corsicana —
The Corsicana Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the submission of class-size waivers this week for elementary grades in the district.
State law dictates class sizes in Kindergarten through 4th grade have a maximum size of 22 students to one teacher. Some classrooms in the district have exceeded that number by one or two students.
So far, that hasn’t presented an instructional problem, according to Dr. Joe Young, Deputy Superintendent. But, because of the law, the district still must go through the waiver process to receive permission from the state to continue with class sizes as they are.
Increased enrollment and reduced state funding are the cause of the imbalance, Young said. That, combined with the difficulty the district is having in hiring bi-lingual teachers has forced the district to exceed the maximums by one or two students.
“They are out there,” Young said of the bi-lingual teachers, but said they either work in South Texas to be close to family, or in North Texas where salaries are beyond what the CISD can pay.
Trustees Leah Blackard and Fr. Ed Monk both expressed concern that teachers in the affected classrooms are being given extra help with teachers aides assigned to them if needed.
“I would feel better voting for this if ... teachers had been offered an aide for class and said ‘no,’” she said.
Young said the teachers were “not shy” and would ask for help if they needed it. He said the administration was closely monitoring the classrooms in need of the waiver and would respond with extra help if necessary.
“I want to make sure the teachers know they can ask for an aide,” Monk said. “I would never be upset spending money on a teacher.”
Trustees also heard information about a change in a photography class at CHS, the planned purchase of a new bus for student transportation; the planned purchase of 375 computers for the district; proposed minor changes to the district’s standardized dress policy; and heard plans for a field trip for 5th graders to an Outdoor School in May 2013 in Marble Falls.
Trustees meet again at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the school administration building.
—————
Bob Belcher may be reached by email at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
Latest News
CISD requests class size waiver
- Latest News
-
-
City proposes route changes for Clean-Up Day
For more than 10 years, Navarro County and the City of Corsicana have co-hosted a county-wide clean-up day. For most residents, it means an opportunity to take their bulk trash to the city’s landfill for free.
-
City to consider rules for airport, swear in new attorney
The Corsicana City Council will swear in the new city attorney, and consider requests for money from local charities when the group meets in regular session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers of the Government Center, 200 N. 12th St. The new city attorney will be Kerri Anderson Donica. She ran unopposed for the position, along with Municipal Judge Mike Russell.
-
CISD to hire architects for new campus
The Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees will consider selecting an architectural firm for the new middle school when the group meets in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, 601 North 13th Street.
-
New pocket park planned
A former plumbing supply shop that has since become nothing more than one wall and one partial wall, is going to become the latest city park in Corsicana.
-
Navarro College students to attend prestigious piano academy
They’re different as daylight and dark — she loves soccer and history, he loves math and science. She hails from Flower Mound, he from Malaysia. She is bubbly, outgoing and excited; he is a bit shy, somewhat reserved.
-
Police Beat
• A woman was arrested for trying to interfere in the serving of two felony warrants around noon Thursday at an apartment at 4301 W. Highway 31.
-
Local Beat
May 15 to July 31
The Navarro Council of the arts presents "With Six You Get Eggrolls" A Fine Art Exhibit featuring the works of Helen Albritton, Barbara Jones, Gladys Espenson, Deb Miller, Stephanie Ford, and Margie Taylor at the Warehouse Gallery from May 15 to July. Exhibit is free and open to the public daily. -
Monday jury for Judge Lagomarsino dismissed
Jury for District Court Judge James Lagomarsino for Monday, May 20, 2013 has been dismissed.
-
Texas residents missing after tornadoes found safe
People who were missing in the wake of the destructive tornadoes in North Texas have been found safe, officials said Friday, but they didn't indicate when residents of one hard-hit neighborhood will be allowed to return to survey damage to their homes.
-
Police department open house Tuesday
The renovation of the Corsicana Police Department got a bit more involved than it was originally intended to. An error with some concrete resulted in water flooding city hall, and forcing replacement of carpeting and flooring. As well, the renovations quickly led to renovations of the municipal court, as well.
- More Latest News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
