This is true, but let's take a look first at whether the current high school
is even adequate for the current enrollment numbers. Classes start at 7
a.m. so that there can be enough classroom space (I really have no problem
with that, but it is indicative that they already have expanded within the
limits of space and time.) The class sizes are large--I was told there are
three sections of trigonometry this year and two of them were at max, which
in my opinion is larger than optimal for a math class.
Furthermore, look at what is going on at the junior high. My son is a 7th
grader and since first grade has been part of a huge "bulge" coming through
the school system. The junior high had such an increase in enrollment that
they had to add an additional lunch period this year. That meant
"splitting" one class period--kids go to half of their class, break for
lunch, then resume that class--not exactly an optimal teaching/learning
situation.
I don't know the numbers for the elementary schools, but I think they have
stayed high as the population in Moscow has grown.
Throughout my children's education here people have been justifying not
building more facilities because they don't expect the numbers to stay high.
As a result, my son, at least, has typically had 30-some in his classroom.
I think it's fairly well accepted that reduced class size is positive
correlated with better learning environments.
>3. With the current location, it is at least theoretically possible for
>some students to walk to school. If the high school is on the edge of
>town, everyone drives. (Look what has happened in Pullman, where the new
>high school (1973) was built on the north end of town.)
Nonetheless, I think it's easier to find creative solutions to mass
transportation than to overcrowded classrooms.
Lois Melina