Common use of Class Loads Clause in Contracts

Class Loads. It is understood and accepted by the Administration, the Board, and the Association that the student- teacher ratio is an important aspect of effective programming. To ensure a high quality of education, the Board will make a continuing effort to maintain good student-teacher ratios, with emphasis at the K-3 level where it is agreed that a good student-teacher ratio is desirable to ensure the very best learning environment. Also, every effort will be made to ensure that any mainstreaming of special needs students in regular classrooms, consistent with IEP placement, will be done in such a manner (number/distribution) as to give all students the best possible educational experience. A. Placement of new enrollees at the elementary level shall be made using the following procedures: 1. Before posting class listings for the beginning of each school year, class sizes will be compared by building/grade level to maintain consistent student-teacher ratios. 2. After posting class listings, the Building Administrators (or designee) will consult before the placement of any new elementary enrollee. Consultation will include comparison of the current student-teacher ratio in each grade by building and District wide. Except for special circumstances as agreed by teachers at that grade level, new students will be placed in the classroom containing the least number of students. 3. When practicable, classroom teachers shall be notified one day before to new students report to class. Upon notification, should the classroom teacher have a concern about placement, the teacher shall request and be granted a meeting with the Building Administrator (or designee) and the Building Representative to discuss the concern. Should the classroom teacher be absent from his/her assignment, the Building Representative will be notified and will act on behalf of the classroom teacher. Should both the teacher and building representative be absent from their assignments, an Association officer will be contacted to act on behalf of the classroom teacher. B. In order to assist in the equitable distribution of all students among available classes, the Board shall provide the Association with a report on the distribution of students before the first day of school. The Association may request a meeting to discuss said report and said meeting, if requested, will occur prior to the first day of school. For students enrolling after the beginning of the school year, a serious effort will be made to assure equal distribution District-wide. The Association president or designee will be kept informed of all new students enrolled after the first day of the school year and of all IEP placements. C. Following the official state membership count date each year, the Board will provide the Association with a listing of all class sizes in the District. Following receipt of said list, the Board or the Association may request a meeting to review the data. 1. As a result of this report, if the Association is not satisfied with the Administration’s effort to reach and maintain a good and acceptable student-teacher ratio, the Association may submit, in writing, any suggestions or alternatives to the Board via the Superintendent. These suggestions and/or alternatives will be placed on the Board agenda for action at the regular Board meeting in October or at a special Board meeting before the October meeting. 2. The Board assures the Association that their suggestions and recommendations will be reviewed and studied and that decisions made, as a result of these suggestions and recommendations will be consistent with the Board philosophy of the importance of good student-teacher ratios in the classrooms.

Class Loads. It is understood and accepted by the Administration, the BoardBoard of Education, and the Association that the student- pupil-teacher ratio is an important aspect of effective programming. To ensure insure a high quality of education, the Board of Education will make a continuing effort to maintain good studentpupil-teacher ratios, with emphasis at the K-3 level where it is agreed that a good studentpupil-teacher ratio is desirable to ensure insure the very best learning environment. Also, every effort will be made to ensure insure that any mainstreaming of special needs students in regular classrooms, consistent with IEP placement, will be done in such a manner (number/distribution) as to give all students the best possible educational experience. A. Placement of new enrollees at the elementary level shall be made using the following procedures: 1. Before Prior to posting class listings for the beginning of each school year, class sizes will be compared by building/grade level to maintain consistent student-pupil teacher ratios. 2. After posting class listings, the Building Administrators (or designee) will consult before prior to the placement of any new elementary enrollee. Consultation will include comparison of the current student-pupil teacher ratio in each grade by building and District district wide. Except for special circumstances as agreed by teachers at that grade level, new students will be placed in the classroom containing the least number of students. 3. When practicable, classroom Classroom teachers shall be notified one day before prior to new students report reporting to class. Upon notification, should the classroom teacher have a concern about regarding placement, the teacher shall request and be granted a meeting with the Building Administrator (or designee) and the Building Representative to discuss the concern. Should the classroom teacher be absent from his/her assignment, the Building Representative will be notified and will act on behalf of the classroom teacher. Should both the teacher and building representative be absent from their assignments, an Association a BEA officer will be contacted to act on behalf of the classroom teacher. B. In order to assist in the equitable distribution of all students among available classes, the Board shall provide the Association with a report on the distribution of students before prior to the first day of school. The Association may request a meeting to discuss said report and said meeting, if requested, will occur prior to the first day of school. For students enrolling after the beginning of the school year, a serious effort will be made to assure equal distribution District-district wide. The Association president or designee will be kept informed of all new students enrolled after the first day of the school year and of all IEP placements. C. Following the official state membership count date each year, the Board will provide the Association with a listing of all class sizes in the Districtdistrict. Following receipt of said list, the Board or the Association may request a meeting to review the data. 1. As a result of this report, if the Association is not satisfied with the Administration’s effort to reach and maintain a good and acceptable studentpupil-teacher ratio, the Association may submit, in writing, any suggestions or alternatives to the Board of Education via the Office of the Superintendent. These suggestions and/or alternatives will be placed on the Board agenda for action at the regular Board meeting in October or at a special Board meeting before prior to the October meeting. 2. The Board assures the Association that their suggestions and recommendations will be reviewed and studied and that decisions made, as a result of these suggestions and recommendations will be consistent with the Board philosophy of the importance of good studentpupil-teacher ratios in the classrooms.