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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 8, 2004 Eagle Point, Central Point try to ease crowded classes By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Two Jackson County school districts that had the largest average class sizes in the state last year are gearing up for another year of crowded classrooms. Eagle Point, which had the largest average class sizes in the state — 28 students per teacher — starts school today with more teachers on board. Central Point, which landed in the runner-up spot in February’s class-size analysis with 25 students per teacher, has seen some growth in elementary enrollment while staffing levels haven’t changed. The Eagle Point district has hired six new teachers at Eagle Point High School and three elementary school teachers to whittle down class sizes, Superintendent Bill Feusahrens said. Two teachers were added to help students learning English as a second language at Mountain View and White City elementary schools. "We’ve been trying to make some inroads by saving money to put back into personnel," he said. Advertisement After three years of cuts, the district was able to carry forward some funds into this year’s budget. Mountain View Principal Ruth Stiehl said enrollment is up from the end of last year, but the school added one teacher to help keep class sizes manageable. Among the biggest classes last year were a fourth-grade class with 37 students and a fifth-grade class with 32 kids. This year class sizes in those two grades will range from 26 to 28 students, she said. Kim Smith, a first-grade teacher at Mountain View, had 29 students last year. "I’m thrilled to just have 22 this year," she said. "I keep recounting copies and booklets I made. It doesn’t look right," she said of the noticeably smaller stacks. At the beginning of the last school year, some parents were concerned about Smith’s big class. "On the first day, kids just kept coming and coming through the door," Smith said. "I think they were amazed we had room for everyone." She and her fellow first-grade teacher alternated projects from week to week because they had to share books, paintbrushes and other supplies. Trips to the library, lunchroom or even the bathroom were a challenge because Smith would lose sight of one end of the winding line of students as they headed down the hall and around a corner. A carefully organized routine and lots of singing and chanting to focus young minds helped keep students and teacher on track. "I would do it if there were 35 in my class," Smith said. "You do what you have to do." In Central Point, teachers will face another year of big classes. Superintendent Candy Manary estimates that elementary enrollment districtwide will be up about 40 students from last year when classes begin today. New middle and high school students have a half-day of orientation today and start class Thursday. "Staffing levels are close to the same," she said. The district hired one new first-grade teacher at Central Point Elementary to help keep classes smaller in the critical early grades. Still, first-grade classes in the district range from 18 to 28 students, she said. Second-grade rooms range from 24 to 34 students. Third- graders will be in classes ranging from 26 to 35. Fourth-grade classes will have between 30 and 38 students, and fifth-graders will be in classes numbering 34 to 38. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities