Tuesday night, we continue our coverage with schools in crisis…digging deeper to find out how these cuts will impact your child's experience in the classroom. 7&4's Kate Fox spent the day putting together the numbers.
Monday night, Traverse City Public Schools voted to cut 17 teachers, this means next year class sizes will increase by 1 to 1.5 students across the board.
Back in May, Cheboygan schools cut 7.2 teachers which will add 1 to 2 students on average to classrooms.
Cadillac Schools are also looking at laying off eight teachers -- this could increase class sizes by one to three students. They will formally vote on this next Monday.
So is the addition of 1 to 2 students a big deal? 7&4’s Kate Fox sat down with an expert on education and has more.
Central Michigan University Professor of Teacher Education and Professional Development Dr. Lorraine Berek says, "When you’re in a crowded room, you feel more pressure...you feel more stress. When students are in a classroom that’s more crowded they feel the same way!
With 40 years of research and classroom observations under her belt, Dr. Berek says even adding one more student to a classroom cuts back on individual attention.
She explains, "Teachers don't have an opportunity to interact as often as they would if the students weren’t there, curriculum can’t be as in depth because you’re trying to accommodate additional learning styles....perhaps even special need students."
Dr. Berek says it's all about simple math. She argues the smaller the class...the bigger the rewards for students.
She references the Tennessee STAR Project which is a 4-year experimental study of reduced class size. It showed students in smaller classes excelled, as if they were in school 3 to 4 months longer than the average student.
But Dr. Berek says there's just as much research out there that says a crowded class size has no negative effect on students.
Most experts say if we have to prioritize, it's our preschoolers thru third graders that need the attention.
She says, "These grades especially need to have smaller class sizes so that we can build that foundation...just like a house...when foundation is strong the walls and everything else are better supported."
Dr. Berek says to make up for the larger class sizes; teachers will have to modify teaching methods. They will have to rely more on technology and small group activities.
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School leaders across northern Michigan are making some tough decisions in an effort to balance the budgets for the 2011-2012 school year.
Schools must have their budgets in by June 30.
Monday night, the areas largest district voted to layoff more than a dozen teachers. The Traverse City Area Public School Board voted unanimously to let go 17 teachers. The teachers that will be cut all have the lowest seniority with the district.
The cuts will lead to class sizes increasing for the 2011-2012 school year by 1.5 students across the board.
The cuts come as the district braces for a state funding cut that could be as much as $370 per pupil. TCAPS leaders say they had to cut where the most money is spent.
"Salaries and benefits represent 86% of our budget and teachers are a large part of that so we cut teachers," said Chris Davis, Executive Director of Human Resources. "We spoke to them ahead of time about the possible cuts so it was not a surprise, but we look forward to recalling them when we can."
Davis said the layoffs focused on elementary school teachers because of the high number of retirements in the secondary schools and they are not filling those positions. The layoffs go into effect August 31.
The Cadillac Public School District is also looking at laying off up to 8 teachers. McKinley Elementary is also being closed. School leaders in Cadillac will make a final decision on the budget cuts next Monday.
In May, Cheboygan Public Schools voted to cut 7.2 teachers. The budget cuts will add one to two students on average to each classroom.
Last week, 7&4 News reported Kalkaska Public Schools is facing a 1-million-dollar deficit for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Lee Sandy said the deficit is because of the state's cut in per-pupil funding. To keep the district from operating in the red, school leaders will dip into reserves.
"We have a rainy day fund, and we're going to try to hold off any cuts that could hurt children as long as we can, but that can't continue forever," explained Sandy.
Kalkaska Public Schools will also cut into its capital outlay budget. The district is not buying any new vehicles, cuts will be made to supply spending. Reductions will also be made to the athletic program, which has already seen 40% in cuts over the past two years.
We would like to know, would you be willing to pay more in taxes if it meant keeping your childs class size smaller? Tell us "Your Point of View" by voting in the poll below and leaving your comments.
