Parents address Bell Vernon School Board about overcrowded classrooms
BELLE VERNON – Concerned parents addressed the Belle Vernon School Board for a second time about overcrowded elementary school classrooms, during their regular meeting Wednesday evening. Fourth and fifth grade teachers at Rostraver Elementary School oversee 27 to 29 students this year.
Kim Ursiny, a parent of a second and fourth grader who spoke on behalf of a group of parents during last month’s meeting, said she had hoped the board might come up with a temporary solution to the problem. The parents suggested bringing in a team of teachers, placing modular classrooms at the school or rearranging the classes.
“It seems like this fourth grade is getting sacrificed,” Parent Angel Temoshenka said. “Help these kids not fall through the cracks.”
President Aaron Bialon said the number of students in the classroom is “acceptable for a fourth-grade level.”
He added that the amount of students in the classroom fluctuates throughout the day. Students leave for special education classes, special-education teachers and teacher’s aides come and go, reducing the amount of students per teacher, he explained.
Vice President Deborah Puglia said that the education committee would “sit down and take a look” at the fourth and fifth grade classes.
“This bulge might follow us,” Director James McKevitt said. “Let’s take a look at it now.”
Bialon said the board is still in the process of “working through” a feasibility study with an architect for the district. Plans include building a new science wing, renovating roofs and adding classrooms, he said. The board is scheduled to meet with the architect again Nov. 9.
Parent Aaron Ochs asked the board about long-term plans for expansion when considering the problem with the fourth and fifth grade now.
A decline of 400 students enrolled in the district is predicted, Superintendent Robert J. Nagy said.
The board also conducted the following business:
Appointed Jason Zadrozny as Director of Buildings and Grounds and David Bashada as Director of Transportation.
Re-appointed Bialon to the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center (CWCTC) Joint Operating Committee.
Accepted the retirement of school bus driver James D. Waugaman.