Today we conclude our series on class size and capacity issues at the remaining buildings by focusing on Marshall and Bradford Woods Elementary.
Please note that we will not be reviewing Hosack or Franklin. Hosack already has class sizes of 30+ students (and thus will not see an increase in class size). Franklin is already operating above its target capacity with a current enrollment of 515 students (and thus will not see an increase in capacity). For those interested, here for the slides on Hosack and Franklin.
That said, what would Marshall and Bradford Woods Elementary have looked like if Peebles was closed this year? These slides are from the Administration’s November 28th presentation to the school board: MES and BWE.
Marshall Elementary
- Marshall would pick up 138 new students if Peebles was closed.
- Its operating capacity would go from 79% to 95%.
- 5th grade would have had to operate 5 sections (instead of 4) and use a spare room (which would have displaced programs operating in that room).
- 4th grade would have had to operate 5 sections (instead of 4) and use a spare room (which would have displaced programs operating in that room).
- 3rd grade would have had to operate 6 sections (instead of 5) and use a spare room (which would have displaced programs operating in that room).
- 2nd grade would have had to operate 6 sections (instead of 5) and use a spare room (which would have displaced programs operating in that room).
- 1st grade would have had to operate 7 sections (instead of 6) and use a spare room (which would have displaced programs operating in that room).
- Kindergarten would have had to operate 5 sections (instead of 4).
- With the 6 extra sections added under the new model, Marshall would have had to use its 4th Centrium (large group instruction space) and GOAL room as classrooms. Only one spare classroom would have remained and it is used for the YMCA program.
- If current enrollment goes up, Marshall would have to use its YMCA room as a classroom. No other spare classrooms exist. Marshall would face class sizes of 25+ for grades K-2 and 30+ for grades 3-5 if there is growth in the Marshall area (e.g. Venango Trails development with 400+ proposed single family homes.)
Bradford Woods Elementary
- Bradford Woods would pick up 36 new students if Peebles was closed.
- Its operating capacity would go from 74% to 81%.
- 5th grade would have increased by an average of 3 students per class (current class sizes are 24, 24, 26, but would have been 28, 28, 27).
- 4th grade would have increased by an average of 2 students per class (current class sizes are 24, 25, 25, but would have been 27, 27, 27).
- 3rd grade would have increased by an average of 3 students per class (current class sizes are 21, 21, 22, but would have been 24, 24, 24).
- 2nd grade would have had to operate 4 sections (instead of 3) and use a spare classroom (which would have displaced programs operating in that classroom)
- 1st grade would have remained the same.
- Kindergarten would have increased by an average of 1.5 students
- If current enrollment goes up, Bradford Woods would have to use its GOAL room and Life Skills room as classrooms.
save NA schools 
How do you know that Hosack will not see more increase in class size? I think to be fair there should be some knowledge about the space there. That should be shared information just like the other buildings. There has been fact stated that class size can be 33 or 34 in a room. Please share Hosack and Franklin stats too!
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:50 +0000 To: sla9899@hotmail.com
The information regarding HES and FES are available in the post. You may want to pay special attention to building usage.
After reading all the data it is clear the plans for closing Peebles leave our kids in more crowded spaces. It leaves me with a couple of questions I haven’t heard yet. First, what research suggests that kids in class sizes of 30, 32 or 35 do just as well as those with 25. Is it out there and has our board sought it out. Doubtful..I am sure the 25 student model is based on years of research. Additionally, education money is tied heavily to performance on standardized tests for good or bad. NA currently is ranked very high in the state. If the plan proceeds and results in a decrease in overall performance; wouldn’t it result in less money being allocated to NA. Even if we are still really good as a district we can’t go down. Financially speaking, we could be worse off by following through with this plan. Not to mention possibly damaging our reputation of high performance. If financial consideration is at the heart of all this, then all angles of financial viability of a plan need addressed.
Joe Cramblit
The potential closing of Peebles elementary would be a gross mis-step by the district for a number of reasons, but none more important than on the socio-economic impact of the distict’s attractive present blend. One of attributes of the Peebles section of McCandless is that it is one of the more affordable communities for young families starting out. For example the Greybrook neighborhood sales of homes is a short cycle of turnover because of cost and the great nearby school. Much of NA is unaffordable for a young family. The district benefits from the blend of economies among families. By consolodating Peebles with McKnight you are pigeon holing the lower income schools even more than present with the potential cries for further disparity within the district. Look to feature your diversity beyond culture and consider the balance from income perspective instead of centralizing. The tax roles show the differences between places like lower McCandless and say Marshall. Why further polarize by centralizing schools by income levels?
Ron Cammarata
Parent of former students and active resident