The Lawrence school district expects some large class sizes will continue in the 2025-26 year while enrollment is on the decline and more teachers are needed.
The board in April 2024 approved a slightly lower student-to-teacher ratio than the previous year: 24 to 1 for elementary school classrooms; 21 or 22 to 1 for middle school classrooms; and 24 to 1 for high school classrooms. But Superintendent Jeanice Swift on Monday said current ratios exceed what was set.
As of Feb. 5, one specific elementary class and six specific middle school classes have 30 or more students, according to data.
Swift said she’s proud that the majority of elementary classes have 25 or fewer students, but middle schools are averaging 23 to 26 in each class. She said the numbers are constantly changing.
“The most important declaration that I will make this evening is that staffing will follow student enrollment in order to maintain desirable class sizes,” Swift said. “Now, if a location loses enrollment over the summer, that may mean that we have to make some adjustments, because some other areas may gain enrollment over the summer.”
Jayci Roberson, director of elementary schools, said the district sometimes hires classified teachers aides or additional teacher assistance with core subjects. She said her team routinely monitors classroom headcounts.
“It’s imperfect, but it’s something that we try to mitigate when we can,” said board President Kelly Jones, who asked Roberson to comment on the district’s support. “And it is the case that even within a school year, you could see a classroom go up and down depending on how transient that population is within that building.”
Desired ranges for next year the district set include 18-22 for kindergarten; 19-26 for first and second grades; 20-27 for third through fifth grades; 22-28 for middle schools, sixth through eighth grades; and 23-29 for high schools.
During time for board commentary at the beginning of Monday’s meeting, board member Yolanda Franklin said the district needs help filling open roles. Listed on the district’s career website are 59 teaching positions.
The board unanimously approved ratios, capacities and enrollment projections for next year.
Under the Kansas open enrollment law that went into effect this school year, giving public school students statewide the ability to transfer to any district in the state as long as space allows, school districts are required to post to their websites the number of open seats available in each grade at each building by May 1.
In the fall 2024 semester, Lawrence gained five students who applied during the June open enrollment period.
Simultaneously, Kansas schools overall saw very low usage of the new policy. Swift said 92 additional students transferred into the district from outside, using regular transfer processes, this year.
Unlike last year, all schools will have some seats available for non-district transfers next year and some kindergarten classes are open at all elementary schools except for Deerfield and Langston Hughes. All four middle schools have consistent openings, and so do both high schools.
With 583 students projected to attend there next year, Langston Hughes will continue to have the highest enrollment of elementary schools in the district. Only six first grade seats are set for non-district enrollment there next year.
See the approved ratios, capacities and enrollment projections attached to the meeting agenda item on BoardDocs.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
