Oct 25, 2017 3 min read

Belle Vernon School District officials were questioned about plans to address overcrowding next school year after dealing with large kindergarten class sizes several weeks ago.

After complaints from parents about overcrowded kindergarten classes at Marion Elementary School, the board two weeks ago hired two part-time class aides to help meet students’ needs.

But at Monday’s meeting, resident John Habel III of Washington Township asked the board if it is now planning to hire an additional first-grade teacher next year to address the same large classes. Superintendent John Wilkinson said he will start reviewing the student count in February and will plan to budget for another first-grade teacher if needed. However, he said he will wait until closer to the start of the new year, since an additional teacher would come at a cost of about $86,000.

Wilkinson said administrators can’t predict factors that will affect the budget, such as class size, state reimbursement or retirement contribution increases at this point. He said if first-grade class sizes are at 27 or 28 students, he will recommend hiring another teacher. If class sizes are at 24 or 25 students, he probably would not recommend it. Wilkinson said he will have a contingency fund held back just in case.

Habel accused Wilkinson of “pandering” at a meeting last month, because Wilkinson now won’t commit to hiring an additional teacher. Wilkinson said he wouldn’t call it pandering because he is unable to predict the future. “I can’t predict the lottery tomorrow. I can’t predict what the budget is going to be in nine months,” he said.

Wilkinson said the kindergarten class sizes are currently at two classes with 24 students at 9:15 a.m., because two students leave to attend life skills classes. Another class is at 26 students and one has 27 students.

School board President Joe Grata said it is highly unlikely to have accurate numbers eight or nine months in advance for staff, student loads or enrollment. Grata also noted two students moved out of the district, changing the kindergarten class sizes for this year.

The board also got an update Monday on the refinancing of the district’s long-term debt.

Last month, the board authorized PFM Financial Advisors to proceed with the refinancing through a 21-year bond issue that will include approximately $9.975 million that would be used to repay higher interest debt from 2012 and $3.1 million for future projects. District business manager James Dzurica said he met with PFM on Friday to discuss the refinancing and the adviser is very close to reaching the goal of 1.5 percent savings

“We’re very close to pulling the trigger,” Dzurica said. He said current bond rates would offer an estimated 1.26 percent savings. He said if the market turns and the figures don’t work out, the district doesn’t have to move forward with the refinancing, but would still issue the $3.1 million in new bonds. He said PFM believes it will be able to reach the savings goal.

The board also voted to recognize gymnastics as a sport for WPIAL competition for the 2017-18 school year. The coach, Jacki Kmetz, and the athletes will be required to meet all PIAA requirements and coaching certifications and clearances. Superintendent John Wilkinson said there will be no cost to the district. He said by recognizing the sport, the team will be able to compete at WPIAL meets under the district’s name.