Capo Unified to Discuss Class Sizes, Search for a New Superintendent

Asking the state to exceed the allowable maximums in class size is on the Capistrano Unified school board agenda next week.

For the last three years, the Board of Trustees has made similar requests, and needed them twice.

However, for the first time in recent history, the district may actually have enough money to decrease class sizes, outgoing Superintendent Joseph Farley has said.

The move to get permission to maintain the above-allowable class sizes “is being taken in case budget projections change and the class size waiver is needed,” says an agenda listing.

State law requires class sizes in kindergarten to average no more than 31, in first through third grades no more than 30 and in grades four through eight to average no more than 29.9 students per teacher.

Districts that do could face financial penalties, but a waiver will prevent them.

At worst, district staff envision “the maximum individual class size in kindergarten through third grade would be 35 students,” says an agenda listing. “The maximum district class average would be 33 students in kindergarten and 34 students in grades one through three.

The flexibility of being able to go above the state’s upper limits also helps the district reduce combination classes, according to the agenda listing.

In other business, the board is expected to discuss the hunt for a new superintendent. In December, Farley announced he would be retiring at the end of this school year. The board meets a half hour later than usual, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the Capistrano Unified headquarters, 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano.

A 5 p.m. special meeting is scheduled before the regular meeting, during which the board is scheduled to select the superintendent search firm for which Farley is already working part-time.