Lincoln Public Schools says surplus staff is keeping class size under control

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Public Schools said Thursday there is no concern over class sizes this upcoming semester.

Nationwide, classroom size is measured by a school’s teacher-student ratio.

In Lincoln, the district said its budget is the key to keeping this ratio under control. LPS has been able to hire plenty of teachers.

SEE ALSO: LPS welcomes over 300 teachers, still in need in some specialized areas

Class sizes are currently between 19 and 22 students in LPS elementary schools but decrease to between 17 and 19 students in each class at a Title 1 school.

Title 1 schools are for students who require extra attention, such as English language learners and students who need a paraprofessional by their side.

Associate Superintendent Sarah Salem said class sizes in the district are where they should be because LPS has enough staff to treat each school individually.

She said LPS uses a points system when determining which schools need more staff, a system that also helps administrators navigate the hiring process.

“That’s to make sure a school administrator, for example, doesn’t have to worry about, when they’re interviewing multiple teachers how much they are going to have to spend,” Salem said. “And they can hire the right candidate, the best candidate.”

LPS added that it even has staff on standby in the event that class sizes increase throughout the school year since it has open enrollment year-round.

“But at the current moment, we’re feeling really comfortable and confident with our staffing right now,” Salem said.

There are outlier classrooms, she said, but LPS had one-on-one meetings with principals to discuss their unique needs.