Carroll ISD board approves maximum class size waiver at 5 elementary schools

Carroll ISD board members approved maximum class size waivers at five elementary schools during their regular board meeting Sept. 23.

The details

Assistant Superintendent of Administration Brian Nickel said five elementary schools in the district need to increase allowable class size limits beyond the current 22 students to one teacher ratio for kindergarten through fourth grade classes set by the Texas Education Agency. The five schools are:

• Carroll Elementary: four sections, third grade
• Johnson Elementary: three sections, third grade
• Old Union Elementary: one section, fourth grade
• Rockenbaugh Elementary: two sections, fourth grade
• Walnut Grove Elementary: one section, first grade and one section, third grade

Zooming in

Board President Cameron Bryan said that at those five elementary campuses there are 140 K-fourth grade sections or classrooms, and the waiver would affect 12 of those classrooms. He added the waiver wouldn’t be for multiple children in a classroom, rather only one more student.

“The waiver would represent a 23 student to one teacher ratio,” Bryan said.

Nickel said requesting maximum classroom size exemption waivers is not uncommon among districts around the state due to enrollment changes that may happen after the spring planning period when districts are trying to match staff numbers with student enrollment.

Nickel said the waiver would only remain effective for the 2024-25 school year.