Too many kindergartners at Ki-Be Elementary
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BENTON CITY, Wash. - Too many kindergartners, not enough classroom space or teachers. A problem not only for huge communities but for little towns like Benton City.
Ki-Be Elementary has the biggest kindergarten class its had in years, 118 kids. All split among only four teachers. Parents worry about the quality of education.
Travis Smith said, "Even with preschool they're really good at letters and numbers and with us, with work and whatever else, you know we don't have as much time."
He counts on his child's teachers to fill in when he can't. An all day kindergarten class is perfect for Zander.
Washington state recommendation is 17 kids per classroom. In Ki-Be, there are just under 30 kids in each class. Administrators are considering cutting all day kindergarten and going to half day.
Superintendent Rom Castilleja said, "At this point, because of the impact on families, we're hoping that that's not where we end up. We've got to consider all options of course and it's always going to be a financial question at the end of the day. Can we afford to do this?"
Saving the all day kindergarten program at Ki-Be Elementary means the district would have to foot the 90-thousand dollar bill they were hoping the state would pick up.
That money won't be coming in. Superintendent Rom Castilleja has been crunching the numbers and calling other districts to find out how they're managing. He plans to act fast.
"If we add another teacher, they've got another classroom all set up and ready to go. So we're ready for the answer if it comes back that way," he said.
Travis believes the district will make the best choice.
He said, "Better to have all the kids in half a day than half the kids in all day, right?"
Hoping that no kid will have to be crowded out on their first year of school.
Enrollment numbers won't be official until the end of the week. So the current count could increase.
The district tells KEPR a firm decision on the overcrowded classrooms could come as early as tomorrow, even with students trickling in towards the end of the week.
Ki-Be Elementary has the biggest kindergarten class its had in years, 118 kids. All split among only four teachers. Parents worry about the quality of education.
Travis Smith said, "Even with preschool they're really good at letters and numbers and with us, with work and whatever else, you know we don't have as much time."
He counts on his child's teachers to fill in when he can't. An all day kindergarten class is perfect for Zander.
Washington state recommendation is 17 kids per classroom. In Ki-Be, there are just under 30 kids in each class. Administrators are considering cutting all day kindergarten and going to half day.
Superintendent Rom Castilleja said, "At this point, because of the impact on families, we're hoping that that's not where we end up. We've got to consider all options of course and it's always going to be a financial question at the end of the day. Can we afford to do this?"
Saving the all day kindergarten program at Ki-Be Elementary means the district would have to foot the 90-thousand dollar bill they were hoping the state would pick up.
That money won't be coming in. Superintendent Rom Castilleja has been crunching the numbers and calling other districts to find out how they're managing. He plans to act fast.
"If we add another teacher, they've got another classroom all set up and ready to go. So we're ready for the answer if it comes back that way," he said.
Travis believes the district will make the best choice.
He said, "Better to have all the kids in half a day than half the kids in all day, right?"
Hoping that no kid will have to be crowded out on their first year of school.
Enrollment numbers won't be official until the end of the week. So the current count could increase.
The district tells KEPR a firm decision on the overcrowded classrooms could come as early as tomorrow, even with students trickling in towards the end of the week.
In 1960 we had 35 kids per class!I went from the only kid in the 7thg grade(Oregon) to 35 kids per class in Calif.College we had 100 kids per class.Our 2 year college had more students enrolled than any 4 year Oregon college.When certain people become financialy responsible for there children there will be less kids per class.The USA are having fewer kids born per household 1 3/4 and Euorpe is less.Going to Walmart & seeing people collecting money for DIAPERS & NOT THE KIND U WASH & DRY SAYS ALLOT.When will parents be responsible for there own actions???????Â