UPDATE: School Board to Discuss Elem. Class Sizes

A policy governing class sizes in its elementary schools will be introduced at tonight’s Clarkstown Board of Education meeting. The longstanding policy’s purpose is to establish consistency in class sizes in the district’s 10 elementary schools and the only revision is the addition of a date.

It specifies that when enrollment reaches a certain number of students in a class by Oct. 1 either an aide will be assigned or an additional teacher will be assigned and a new section created. The number of students per class varies according to the grade level. The levels are primary for kindergarten through second grade and intermediate for third through fifth grade.  

Additionally, the board will review an agreement between the school district and CANDLE (Community Awareness Network For Drug Free Life). The agreement provides for a $41,075 financial contribution to the non-profit organization. CANDLE promotes conflict resolution, good decision-making, bullying prevention, awareness of drug abuse, drug abuse dangers, drug abuse prevention and avoiding underage drinking.

The programs proposed for the 2012-2013 school year include: “Peacemakers” for second graders, “Cool C.A.T.S.” for fourth graders, Tobacco-free School Policy, VAASA for high schools students, “Too Good” for the Birchwood School, Bullying Initiatives and “Only Two Will Do.”  CANDLE’s overall estimated cost for the programs provided to the district is $67,615.

The board meeting begins at 8 p.m.