Parents demand urgent review of class size guidelines

During a recent Board of Education meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding class sizes in the Massapequa School District. Tracy Bichelli, co-president of the Umpqua Elementary PTA, represented the collective voice of 543 PTA members, urging the board to review and update outdated class size guidelines established in 2009.

Bichelli highlighted that the current guidelines do not align with recent state legislation, specifically New York Senate Bill S7235, which advocates for smaller class sizes to enhance student achievement and teacher morale. She emphasized that class sizes of fewer than 20 students have been shown to positively impact student performance and behavior, particularly as educational standards and the social-emotional needs of students have evolved over the past 15 years.

The PTA's motion calls for immediate action to address the proposed reduction of class sections, which would affect the upcoming 2024-2025 third-grade class at Umpqua Elementary. Bichelli urged the board to utilize local control to respond to these community concerns effectively.

The meeting also included a reminder for attendees to keep comments respectful and focused on school matters, with a total of 30 minutes allocated for public input. The board president retains discretion to adjust this time as necessary.