Kindergarten class sizes will be larger than usual at this fall sparking concerns from parents over whether their children will be provided proper attention.
There are currently three kindergarten classes scheduled for an enrollment of 78 students, according to district officials, which will equate to class sizes of 26, according to district officials. Parents at Thursday night’s Seaford school board meeting expressed concerns about 26 students being too large a setting for kindergarten students for one teacher and a half-day aid. Last year when kindergarten enrollment at Seaford Manor School was far lower, class sizes were under 20.
“It’s going to be complete chaos for the children,” said Donna Jebaily, who has a child entering kindergarten at Seaford Manor School. during the public comments portion of Thursday evening’s school board meeting held in the Band Room.
“I really feel we are doing them a disservice,” said Amy Holt, who also has a child that will be in one of the Seaford Manor School kindergarten classes come September.
The has 84 kindergarten students enrolled as of early July and will have four classes with 21 students.
Seaford Superintendent Brian Conboy said the district would love to add another kindergarten class to the Seaford Manor School but is under budget constraints. Seaford is coming off a year of operating on a and while this year’s spending plan , the district is not in position to hire another full-time kindergarten teacher.
Conboy emphasized that he understands the parents’ concerns and will work hard with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel to come up with a plan that gives the kindergarten students as much attention as possible. He said this could include hiring additional part-time teachers to go along with the half-day aid currently provided. The number of kindergarten students enrolled at Seaford Manor School also could change by the end of the summer, he said.
