The Cartersville School Board at its monthly business session approved a resolution spelling out the enrollment limits of classes across the district. Most of the approved class sizes parallel the limits prescribed by the Georgia Board of Education during the 2009-2010 school year.
But one change will allow district leaders to put as many students in a gifted class as they can in a core class at the same grade level. The aim of the change is to allow greater flexibility in scheduling for individual students and allow the system to serve more students in those classes.
Class sizes vary, as state guidelines have prescribed different limits for classes based on subject, grade and the classification of students in a class, such as special education or gifted. For most core classes, sizes are set at 22 students for kindergarten; 23 for grades one and two; 24 for third grade; 30 for grades four through eight; and 32 for high school.
The state board in May granted an exemption of all statutory and regulatory class size maximums for the 2010-2011 school year, citing a need to give school systems more flexibility amid the continued economic downturn that has affected local communities and the state. But Cartersville's charter system status, which took effect July 1, effectively made the exemption moot in its case since its charter contract allows the district to determine its own class sizes.
Board members also approved the final reading of changes to policy JBCB, which deals with nonresident students. The amended policy adds an additional component to the qualifications for enrollment or continued enrollment of students who are not city residents.
While nonresident students already have to demonstrate patterns of good attendance and punctuality, maintain a C average or better in each class and have good behavior, the proposed rules state that such students and their parents/guardians must show cooperation and support to the school district. Nonresidents may be denied enrollment or continued enrollment if the parent demonstrates an attitude of "uncooperativeness, antagonism, threats, ridicule or slanderous comments toward school programs, process or personnel."
The board's next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. in the central office boardroom.