Class Size Increases on Agenda Tonight

Class-size increases will be on the agenda tonight at the ’s Board of Trustee meeting, but they’re already a done deal.

Late last month, which increases class sizes across all grade levels by 1.5 students per class.

The problem is, Capo is already at the state’s upper limit for class sizes in grades K-8. High school classes have no maximum limits.

So the board will ask the state Board of Education to approve a “class-size waiver,” allowing Capo to exceed those limits in grades K-3 without facing financial penalties, which could total as much as $1.5 million, according to the agenda packet.

Under the waiver, CUSD could increase kindergarten classes on average from the current 31 students to as much as 33, according to the application. Class sizes in grades 1-3 could increase on average from 30 to 33 students.

A notice published at the CUSD websitein May, however, says staff officials will rubber stamp any increases school districts will make ahead of their board’s September meeting.

“The state board will retroactively approve class size waivers after actual increases have been implemented. This flexibility is being provided because of the budget challenges facing California school districts,” the CUSD notice states.

Last year, . Although class sizes were not increased in 2011-12, the waiver is good for two years.

In other business, the board is expected to approve the 2012-13 school calendar, which will include at the end of the school year, making Tuesday, June 11, 2013 the last school day. Should fail, the year would be .

The board meets at 7 tonight at the district headquarters, 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano.