IPS: Cuts won't increase class sizes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Parents and concerned community members are gathering at Arsenal Technical High School Tuesday night to talk about how to cut $27 million from the IPS budget.

There are a number of issues of concern to parents. The $27 million is nine percent of the IPS operations budget. But many parents are most concerned about the possible elimination of teaching positions.

In fifth and sixth grade, IPS averages 30 students to every one teacher. Compare that to Cincinnati schools where the ratio for the same age group is 20 to one. That's why some parents are likely to oppose the IPS superintendent's plan to cut 100 teachers.

"We plan and hope to maintain class size this next school year as they are currently. So we shouldn't see any increases in class size at all," said Kim Hooper, the assistant director of the office of community relations.

Asked how class size can be maintained with fewer teachers, Hooper replied, "Well, we're going to make it happen."

Administrators aren't giving specifics on how they'll maintain class sizes, but assure they assure parents that class sizes will not increase and no teachers will be laid off.

Instead, school leaders won't replace the 100 teachers who are planning to retire.

"We'll see perhaps fewer music teachers, for example, next year. We may have our kindergarten and first grade teachers, instead, teaching music instead of having a dedicated music teacher teaching those grade levels," Hooper said.

But no cuts are anticipated in the district's $31 million transportation budget either. And unlike some outlying districts now charging parents a fee to ride the bus, IPS has a greater number of families living in poverty and won't consider a fee.

"Many of our children don't have any other option to get to school. Their families don't have the luxury of being able to drive them," said Hooper.

Interestingly, Cincinnati public schools will soon face serious budget cuts as well. But class size will not grow because teachers have mandated that small classes be written into their teacher contracts.