Parents and Guardians,
Like other school districts, we face limited revenues and increasing pension costs. Additionally, we have set aside money for proposed staff salary increases over the next two years. From there, the district budget gets tight. Very mindful of Natomas Unified’s challenges in the past with budget deficits, we continue to be fiscally responsible with our spending. The past few months, district leadership has taken a deep look at budgets and analyzed trends where actions cost less than anticipated. As a result of that effort and on behalf of the Natomas Unified Board of Trustees, I am pleased to share actions Trustees will take to strengthen our school district further.
Natomas Unified will be decreasing K-3 class sizes to a 24-to-1 target average in 2018-2019. For the past few years we have lowered class sizes in K-3. Currently 3 of our 9 elementary/K-8 schools have K-3 class size averages below 24. Three schools have class size averages between 24 and 25, and 3 are higher than 25. Additional teachers will be added to these grade levels, decreasing our average to our target average of 24-to-1 at these grade levels. Currently the class size averages at middle school are the lowest they have been in many years. High school class size also has a lower average than years prior. Due to the nature of having multiple high school programs and options, class sizes tend to vary greater for the 9th-12th grades. The teacher shortage in specialized areas such as world languages, mathematics, chemistry and others is a challenge across our state and at times this will affect class sizes.
In addition to smaller class sizes, other staffing actions are being taken:
- Jefferson K-8, American Lakes K-8 and Bannon Creek K-8 will have their first 7th grade classes in August. However, in the continued effort to strengthen our south area schools, all three schools will be fully staffed as if they had both 7th and 8th graders. This will allow the schools to develop their teams early, provide smaller 7th grade class sizes for next year, and provide additional supports as these schools add their first middle school programs. None of these sites will have 8th graders in 2018-2019.
- Heron will have its first ever Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program opened this fall. Due to available space, this class will be open in 2018-2019 to those who live in the Heron boundaries only and will soon have a wait list.
- Additionally, Natomas Unified will add 4 special education teachers, at least 1 Speech and Language Pathologist, and 1.25 more school psychologists.
Shrinking class sizes, providing increased compensation for staff, strengthening school programs, adding more resources for our students with social-emotional needs, and increasing our support for students with disabilities – that’s continued strong investment in our schools by Natomas Unified. Thank you for your continued support as we keep striving to meet our vision that, “All NUSD students graduate as college and career ready, productive, responsible, and engaged global citizens.”
Superintendent Chris Evans
