A few observations on last Thursday night’ special School Board meeting on School District enrollment.
The School District on Thursday night provided more data than heretofore has been presented at one time in one place regarding our current student population, the recent history regarding the decrease of native Culver City students and increase in permits granted to non-native Culver City children.
Comments from the articulate audience reflected a common theme of Good Schools, Good Students, too many students in the middle and high schools and a few bad apples disrupting it all.
When students comment about other students’ disruptive behavior within the classrooms having a negative impact yet allowed to continue with apparent impunity, as happened last Thursday, all parties should be concerned.
But is this a function of too high a ratio of adults to students or non-enforcement of existing discipline rules by those adults present?
The issue of bullying has come up at the last three regularly scheduled School Board meetings, and it has been agendized for further discussion as a recognized issue demanding attention. It is clear many in our community link student population with safety and academic achievement. But the data presented Thursday did not support or dissuade pro or con opinions.
Discussions about capping the total student populations for each school site lacked data for the Board or citizens to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Most, if not all, attending the Robert Frost Auditorium meeting understand the financial impact of student population to state funding. Many raised their voices in support of a parcel tax to supplement any potential loss in revenue associated with decreasing our enrollment.
Yet fundamental questions to determine the best policies remain unanswered.
How many desks can fit in each classroom at each site?
What is the optimal number of students for each class within each program at each site for greatest academic achievement?
What is the optimal ratio of adults to students for safety and academic achievement?
What are the costs to achieve these ratios, maintain all the great programs we have and to continue to improve the education of our children?
Once we come to grips with these numbers the community will be able to engage in an informed dialogue.
As a community we can look at the costs and desired goals to find a way to meet those financial needs, the School Board can establish reasonable and realistic policies and the District can pursue clear objectives.
