Average class size has remained stable in Montgomery County even as enrollment has declined and the number of teachers has increased, causing the County Council to take a closer look at staffing levels as they near the deadline for approving a shrunken budget.
The 5 percent overall teacher increase, up to almost 10,300 for the current year from about 9,700 budgeted positions in 2005, coincides with a 1 percent decline in students to about 138,000 in 2008. Most of the new positions are supporting roles, so the increase has not pushed down class size.
Full-time teachers responsible for professional development, for example, are up 7 percent since 2005 to 480 positions for the district’s 200 schools. Though some parents complain the senior staffers command high salaries with minimal student contact, the district defends their veteran-teacher status.
“These people are less about outside workshops and more about training that’s related to what the teachers are doing every day,” said Jamie Virga, director of staff development, adding they work with teachers to determine students’ specific needs.
The number of budgeted special education teachers has increased 13 percent to almost 1,600, with 43 more requested next year. Their percentage bump nearly tripled that of their students, but comes at a time when the district is dismantling contained programs and placing special-needs students, along with extra teachers, into “mainstream” classrooms.
Full-time support teachers, who often teach small pullout classes of struggling students or those with limited English skills, have increased 12 percent to more than 1,200 positions with 50 more requested next year.
“I don’t think we’re paying for anything we’re not getting a substantial return on,” said Valerie Ervin, chairwoman of the County Council’s education committee and a vocal supporter of the school board’s $2.1 billion budget. “Once you cut deep into the programs that work for kids, it takes many, many years to catch back up.”
Even so, Ervin’s committee recommended about $25 million in cuts from the board’s request, including about 80 teacher positions. The district’s budget goes before the full council next week.
