HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-10-1998 - Attachment #3b,q-H-Q~ ~,~~ ~S
CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCH
Lincoln Center, Merritt Mill Road
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516
Telephone: (919) 967-8211
Neil G. Pedersen
Superintendent
TO: John Link
Orange County Manager
FROM: Neil G. Pederse
Superintendent
RE: Capacity of New Elementary School
DATE: October 13, 1998
Ann Hart,
Chester Preyar, Assistant Superintendent
for Support Services
Thanks for calling about the capacity figure cited today in the Chapel Hill Herald for
the new elementary school. As we have discussed, the school is designed in accordance
with the County's guidelines and includes 25 classrooms. Using the state's class size
allotment (23 students per class in grades K-2 and 26 in grades 3-5), this would translate
into a capacity of 609. Applying the standard that the Board approved for this model
school of class sizes of 20 to 1 at all grade levels, yields a capacity of 500. In order to
accommodate four classes per grade level, we are planning to use 24 classrooms for grades
K-5 which yields a capacity of 480.
The newspaper cited a capacity of 350. This is the figure used in the computerized
redistricting model in order to force it to generate an attendance zone of this number of
students. The remainder of the students will be assigned through a parental choice plan.
Because we are allowing some room for growth in all of our schools, I would expect this
school to open next year with between 400 and 450 students. In future years, its enrollment
should approximate 480 students.
Please let me know if you need any further clarification. The School Board
anticipates a discussion with the County Commissioners on November 10`~ concerning the
implications of reduced class size on school capacities.
Cc: Board of Education
Chester Preyar
for Instructional Services
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