Staffing a concern at AHS

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 23, 2000

With some Austin High School classroom sizes almost twice the ideal – 38 students in one environmental studies class – the Austin Board of Education has a problem.

Saturday, September 23, 2000

With some Austin High School classroom sizes almost twice the ideal – 38 students in one environmental studies class – the Austin Board of Education has a problem. It’s a problem the board members will address Monday, at a 4 p.m. meeting in the District Administration building.

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School Board President David Simonson said the board successfully focused on keeping classroom sizes small at the elementary and middle school levels, but the high school was the hardest hit when the budget cuts went into effect.

AHS lost 10 staff positions after last year’s budget cutting measures. It’s been so bad in some classrooms, some students were sitting on the floor while maintenance workers tried to get enough desks to the needy classrooms. Several lab classes have also gone beyond the recommended number, requiring creative classroom management solutions so everyone can use the equipment.

Simonson is hoping the board can hold the line on staffing.

"In years before, we would have this panic about class sizes and hire extra teachers," the nine-year board member said. "Then, by the end of the year, we’d end up with too many teachers because of attrition. We’re trying to help by giving teachers with larger classes an extra prep period. We need to break the yearly pattern and try to end up in the black.

The school board will also discuss chimney repair and what issues it would like addressed by the Legislature in 2001 at the Monday meeting.