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Teachers decry plan to expand class sizes

 
Published June 13, 1991|Updated Oct. 13, 2005

More than good grammar is at stake for about 300 Hillsborough County English teachers who have lobbied the School Board to limit class sizes. The teachers oppose a plan to save $700,000 by increasing each teacher's annual class load from 100 students to 125.

Tuesday night, they told board members that English teachers need the smaller class sizes to do their jobs properly. Often, they say, individual attention to students is vital.

"If you're teaching in high school today, you had better be counseling," said teacher Ann Sofia, who has discovered that students tell their emotions to English teachers through weekly essays.

For example, Sofia told about a 16-year-old student who wrote an essay after reading an Arthur Miller play.

"This character reminds me of my father," the student wrote. "No matter how hard I try to please him, I can't. No matter what I do, he calls me crazy, dum (sic), and stupid."

Sofia said she pulled the boy aside to talk about getting along with his father. That private time with students will be lost next year if teachers are assigned another 25 students, teachers told the School Board.

Most English teachers begin the year with 100 students and finish with about 80, said Pete Davidsen, assistant superintendent for administration and operations.

Next year, if the board approves the cut, teachers would begin the year with 125 and could end the year with about 100, he said. Teachers said they must spend about 20 minutes each week on every student's written essay, so the larger class sizes would force them to assign fewer essays and spend less time with each student.

The School Board must cut at least $7.5-million to balance next year's budget. The board may be forced to cut up to $4-million more because of state revenue shortfalls.

The board was supposed to decide Tuesday night where the cuts would be made, but a decision was postponed until the state announces the extent of the latest cuts, school officials said.

More than 100 English teachers were among about 250 district employees who pleaded Tuesday night with the board about anticipated cuts. No permanent employees will be laid off, but some workers, including about 35 high school English teachers, could find themselves working at different grade levels or in other subject areas next year.

Terry Wilson, executive director of the Classroom Teacher's Association, said union members recognize that the recession has taken a toll on the state budget. Still, he said, the union opposes layoffs, program cuts and salary cuts, and wants a minimal effect in the classroom.

Among those who appealed to the board Tuesday was Richard Dormany, president of the Hillsborough School Employees Federation, which represents bus drivers, custodians and food service workers. Custodians face a 10-percent staff cut, which could mean dirtier schools, Dormany said.

Food service workers, who said they are among the lowest-paid in the school district, asked for their annual pay increases.

Said Catherine Pruitt, who works in the Dowdell Junior High cafeteria: "We make $11,000 a year. It's hot in those kitchens. You School Board members sit in your air-conditioned offices . . . take concern for the people. Be real."