Tamaroa may consolidate first, second and third grades into one class with two teachers

Tamaroa District 5 is considering a plan that would consolidate first, second and third grades into one class with two teachers.

Superintendent Bob Trover said it may be two or more weeks before the plan is discussed seriously.

The consolidation would be driven by the retirement of career first grade educator Lee Woodcock, who is retiring at the end of this school year. She has been in the district since 1980.

Because of state education aid cuts, the board of education may not be able to replace her.

With lower grade class sizes of fewer than a dozen in each class, the district may combine the three grade levels into one class.

That would create a class of 38 students with two teachers engaged in team teaching these three grade levels. Those circumstances already exist in places like Unity Point School south of Carbondale and in DeSoto.

The class would be taught by current second grade teacher Mrs. Witges and third grade teacher Mrs. Pursell.

Trover is expected to share with parents in the district what he believes are positive opportunities if the school heads in that direction.

Board members are president Beth Cassity, Mary Nippe, Jennifer Alvis, John Davison, Clinton Furlow, Sherri Phillips and Diedra Restoff.