08/26/2026
At the most recent Board of Education meeting, a group of parents from McGregor Elementary spoke about the decision to reduce the number of fourth-grade classrooms, resulting in classes of 32 students. Understandably, they were concerned about what that would mean for their children.
The parents reportedly met with both the principal and Superintendent Russo to advocate for the third fourth-grade classroom to be restored. Since the issue has been discussed publicly, parents from multiple other elementary schools have also shared that their children are in classrooms with 32 students.
To be clear, the current contract between Rochester Community Schools and the teachers' union does allow up to 34 fourth graders in a classroom. But the contract also says, “To the extent feasible... the Board will maintain low class size limits.”
As a former first-grade teacher, I know firsthand the difference smaller class sizes can make. Fewer students means fewer discipline challenges, more opportunities for individualized attention, and more time for teachers to meet the needs of each child. Smaller classes benefit both students and educators.
The good news is that, reportedly, the day after the Board meeting, the district reversed course and restored the fourth-grade classroom at McGregor. That is great news for the McGregor fourth-grade community, and I am glad those students will have the benefit of a smaller class.
But this should not be the end of the conversation.
Growing class sizes have been a concern across our elementary schools for years. Board packets have included letters from concerned parents and staff about this issue, yet we have not seen a meaningful, district-wide effort to address it.
And I have questions about how this particular situation was handled.
Is organizing 50 parents to come before the Board the only way to get a problem addressed? If not, what changed between approximately 4:00 p.m. Monday, when the group was reportedly told the classroom would not be restored, and noon Tuesday, when parents reportedly received an email saying the decision had been reversed?
And why did the broader community learn about the reversal through a comment from Trustee Blake on Facebook rather than through direct communication from the district?
That is not what transparency in decision-making looks like. And it is not what effective communication with our community should look like.
When I am elected to the Board, reducing class sizes will be an issue I bring directly to Superintendent Russo and his cabinet. I recognize that there are real challenges involving staffing, building capacity, scheduling, and finances. But I also believe Rochester Community Schools has the financial resources and the talented people needed to find creative solutions.
Our students deserve classrooms where teachers have the time and capacity to give them the attention they need.
I believe that by working together - parents, educators, administrators, and the Board - we can help RCS **Level Up** by reducing class sizes and putting our students first.
