Naples parents object to combo classes

BONNERS FERRY — Third grade students at Naples Elementary will start the school year off like never before — in two separate classes.

Due to low anticipated enrollment in third grade, the district is planning on splitting the third grade class into two combination classes, a second/third grade class and a third/fourth grade class.

Currently, the upcoming third grade class size is 13 students and splitting the students into combo classes would result in class sizes in the 20s.

The district’s policy recommends a class size of 22 students for K-3 and 28 students for grades 4-8. For a combo class, the districts recommends five less students.

The one combination class at Valley View Elementary this year for second and third graders had 19 students.

During the end of the 2012-2013 school year, kindergarten to third grade class sizes ranged from 13 to 28 students. Mt. Hall Elementary had the largest class sizes, ranging from 22 to 28 students, which are larger than the recommendation by the district. Naples Elementary had the smallest classes with 13 to 22 students. Valley View Elementary K-3 classes ranged from 18 to 23 students.

For fourth and fifth grade classes, sizes were under district recommendations at 14 to 27 students. Naples Elementary had the smallest classes with 21 and 14 students. Both Mt. Hall Elementary and Valley View had 23 students in fifth grade classrooms. Valley View Elementary had the largest fourth grade classes with 26 and 27 students.

“We just want a teacher for every classroom,” said Theresa Wardle at the May school board meeting.

The number of teachers at Naples Elementary will be one fewer with the combination class. Third grade teacher Reenie Doolin is retiring after 34 years of teaching and her position will be eliminated.

“We are trying to meet all the needs, requirements and what the community wants,” said principal Jim Nash. “This is what we felt was the best thing we could do to give the best education.”

Naples Elementary is a very mobile school, said Nash. The enrollment fluctuates as families relocate. At the end of last school year, school enrollment was approximately 115 students, this year the enrollment was approximately 102 students.

“We do everything in our power to give the best education we can,” said Nash. “We will make it work.”

Parents of children in special education at Naples Elementary are concerned with their kid’s best education.

The district is closing the special education office at Naples Elementary but speech therapy will continue. The district anticipated three special education students at Naples Elementary next year.

After parents were informed of the decision, two of the students are attending Valley View Elementary and one student will stay at Naples Elementary.

This school year a special education teacher was at Naples Elementary for roughly an hour a day and a special education paraprofessional was at the school 4.5 hours a day, said Nash. There will be no special education teacher at Naples Elementary next year, said Supt. Richard Conley.

“The intentions are positive but I don’t think we are looking ahead to the true cost to children,” said Wardle.

Over a dozen concerned parents spoke at the May board meeting in regards to special education and combo classes. Parents told the school board trustees that they are punishing the children who need help and that it is insulting for kids with learning disabilities to be singled out.

“We really do care,” said Lisa Dirks, Board Trustee. “I love Naples.”

“The law does not mandate you have to provide all services in all schools, just that we provide services,” said Conley. “We adjust to what students bring in.”

“We want special education and a teacher for each class,” said Wardle.

Dead silence followed Supt. Conley’s suggestion for a teacher for each class and special education — bringing all the kids to Valley View Elementary.

Conley said it would meet the needs of the students but not the needs of the community.

Murmur swept through the crowd and the suggestion was not well received.

“We are not trying to close schools,” said Melanie Staples, board chairman. “In order to keep it open we have to try different things.”