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607 CLASS SIZE/PROGRAM CAPACITY

Revised: 11/9/2004 The board is aware that class size has bearing upon effective teaching. Therefore, Independent School District #363 will adhere to the following guidelines relating to pupil-teacher ratios as follows: 1. The acceptable maximum pupil-teacher ratio at Northome School is 25 to1 in any class grades K through 6 and 30 to 1 in grades 7 through 12. A recommended pupil-teacher ratio for music teachers including music specialists is an average of 240 pupils per day per week in grades K through 6 or K through 8. 2. The acceptable maximum pupil-teacher ratio at Indus School is 15 to 1 for preschool (per section), 15 to 1 for kindergarten, 18 to 1 for grades 1 through 6, 25 to 1 for grades 7 through 12. 3. The maximum number of pupils per day for a secondary school teacher is 160 except for teachers of performing music groups and physical education classes. An acceptable class size for instruction in physical education shall not exceed 40 pupils. The recommended secondary teacher of performing music groups is 180. The above guidelines may be adjusted in any one or more of the following circumstances: 1. Classroom, facility, and supply constraints; 2. Funding and financial considerations; 3. Curriculum and instructional considerations; 4. Availability of licensed staff and other staff considerations; 5. Student enrollment and demographics; 6. Location of students and transportation considerations; 7. The discretion of the building administration; 8. Definition of Space Available in ISD 363: Space is available to Open Enrollment Students if, without compromising the integrity of the educational experience, there is room for more students in a class, program or building. Decisions for determining whether or not space is available will be made administratively. Decisions will be guided by the school district’s class size policy. Enrollment will be closed to Open Enrollment applicants if the programming they are seeking is already closed to resident students, it is not available in ISD 363, or if the Superintendent of Schools or designee determines that adding more students may jeopardize the learning environment or compromise program integrity. Instructional Methodology: Optimum learning environment is created for some programs and activities when an instructional methodology is used requiring a certain maximum student class size or certain minimum amount of classroom space. Enrollment will be closed to Open Enrollment students when either of these boundaries are reached. Examples: laboratory facilities, work experience program. Specialized Equipment and/or Materials: Specialized equipment and/or materials will not be added to a program to facilitate entry of option students unless, in the opinion of the Superintendent or designee, it can be done in a cost effective manner. Examples: musical instruments, shop equipment. Personnel and Staffing: Additional faculty or other staff will not be hired to enlarge or enhance an existing program to facilitate entry of option students unless, in the opinion of the Superintendent or designee, it can be done in a cost effective manner. Whenever the pupil-staff ratios exceed the above guidelines, the superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the school board describing the circumstances which make exceptions to the guidelines necessary.

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