Class size vs. athletics

Question: I was wondering how anyone would vote for sports over class size. I do believe that sports give students a chance to improve themselves, but in the younger grades the children's parents are expected to pay fees and get sports equiptment for their children and transport them if playing on travel teams. They should do that in high school as well and leave class size in the elementary grades alone. Increasing class size is why I moved my family from Amsterdam to Broadalbin. They were increasing class size and I didn't want that for my son. My feeling is that if you want to increase class size, then do it in the older high school grades. So my question right now is why were class sizes increased rather than cutting sports? I know that I will be voting down the budget just because you are increasing class size no matter what.

Answer: The night that members of the Board of Education adopted the proposed budget, they looked at four different options. All four of these options included the elimination of the seven staff positions that are reflected in the proposed budget. The other three options that the board rejected included additional staff cuts, and two options called for the elimination of the district's athletics program. So, of the four budget drafts that board members considered, the budget they adopted is the least severe when it comes to budget cuts.

Grades affected by class size increases

Question: Which grades will be impacted by the reduction of teachers? To quote the budget newsletter, "Elementary class sizes in three grades will exceed 27 students per classroom."

Answer: We won't make this decision until the summer. The final decision will be based on enrollment at each grade level, as well as the age population of the students -- for instance, research shows that smaller class sizes are most important for younger students.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

After school program administrator

Question: Which administrator oversees the after school program?

Answer: The Learning Community Principal Terry LaFountain oversees the after school program for elementary students.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent