By MIKE DE GIVE
Two unpopular components of a plan to make class-size-reduction work in local schools were eliminated in a recent proposal by Superintendent Patricia Lamson.
Lamson's plan, submitted to Cupertino Union School District trustees Jan. 28, leaves the district's much-favored staggered kindergarten schedule intact. It also drops mandated team-taught classes for first-grade students.
Moreover, Lamson's plan extends the 20-1 student-teacher ratio to the second grade for half of each day. The second-grade proposal would be an option for each school, but not required. The current first-grade ratios would be maintained at 20-1.
Nearly 3,000 Sunnyvale kids attend CUSD schools. Four of the district's schools--Nimitz, Stocklmeir and West Valley elementary schools and Cupertino Junior High--are located in Sunnyvale.
Under the proposal, which trustees will consider Feb. 11, a part-time teacher would work in second-grade classes throughout the district, taking over half the class to instruct students in reading or math while the rest of the children work in other subjects. Consequently, extra classrooms would not be needed for second-grade class-size reduction.
In contrast to other plans set forth by the district, first-grade classes with a ratio of 40-2 would not be mandated. Instead, schools would have the option of using team teaching. If a school dislikes that idea, it can use up to two Guided Learning Center rooms to house its overflow of children. Those rooms would be freed up by the middle of the school year, when more modular classrooms are purchased and installed.
Under the plan, new teachers and modular classrooms would cost the district nearly $1.2 million over and above what the state would provide.
But administrators hope to recoup some of that money by purchasing less-expensive modular classrooms. In the past, the district made it a policy to only purchase top-of-the line modulars.
The district also hopes the governor's budget includes more class-size reduction money next year.
Trustees will consider the plan, and possibly vote on it, at their Feb. 11 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the administration building, 10301 Vista Drive, in Cupertino.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, February 5, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.