Hello EWSD Community,
On behalf of the EWSD School Board, I want to provide the community with information regarding enrollment and class sizes as well as adjustments to our teaching staff.
Over the past few years, we have observed a decline in student enrollment not just within our District, but across all of Vermont. As stewards of our community's educational resources, we have taken this trend seriously and evaluated various aspects of our educational system to ensure efficiency and excellence.
After careful consideration and collaboration with the EWSD Leadership team, Superintendent Cobb is implementing a reduction in the number of classrooms due to declining enrollment at each of our schools. This reduction is not a reflection of our teaching staff's dedication and hard work, but rather a strategic measure to allocate resources more effectively and maintain a high standard of education despite declining enrollment. This will bring us in line with Vermont state standards, as we are projected to have some average class sizes fall below the state minimum.
Here are some answers to common questions that you may be asking:
Will this cause an increase in class size?
Before adjusting to the required policy, our class sizes were projected to be smaller than the Vermont minimum next year. In adjusting the student class size, we will be on an average of 17-18 in grades K-3 and 19-20 in grades 4-12.
Why is this being done now?
In order to be compliant with the Vermont Educational Quality Standards and the recommended Vermont Class Size Policy, adjustments to staffing levels will be necessary beginning next year.
Why hasn't the District been planning for this?
Since the pandemic, the District has known we were not compliant with the state-required Class Size policy. This was a deliberate decision due to the outcome of the pandemic regarding student learning and their needs. Our enrollment has continued to decline along with the rate of others in Vermont, and we need to make adjustments. We have been using attrition/retirements over the last couple of years to adjust. This has been a strategic effort in meeting the policy.
Is this a policy that the School Board can change?
This is a required policy that is implemented statewide via educational standards. This is not a policy that the Board should edit or amend.
Is this due to budget or funding cuts?
No. While we are about to enter budgeting season, this staffing adjustment is directly tied to enrollment and Vermont class size regulations. An adjustment of the budget would not impact this particular situation.
I am still concerned or have more questions
On December 19, at our next Board meeting, we will be discussing the budget, looking at both internal and external impacts. As a Board, we welcome questions that you may have so that we can ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information. In addition please feel free to email questions or concerns to the Board. If you send an email to rcarpenter@board.ewsd.org, I can ensure the Board and administration will be able to see your questions.
We know that there is great concern whenever there is any talk of cuts or reductions. We are working diligently to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, and we are committed to supporting our students and staff during this adjustment period.
We also understand the concern amongst the community with regard to the recent tax letter from the Dept of Taxes on Dec 1 on how that may impact our local taxes. These are relevant and understandable concerns that we aim to address at our next meeting to provide insight and transparency into the process with our community.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support as we navigate these changes to meet Educational Quality Standards. Please feel free to reach out to us directly or attend one of our next meetings.
Respectfully,
Robert Carpenter
EWSD Board Chair