With a record number of students unexpectedly signed up for kindergarten next year, San Carlos school officials are left to determine how to meet the need.

Approximately 70 more kindergarten students than anticipated enrolled in the San Carlos Elementary School District for next year. The growth is good news for the district, which is paid per pupil. Whether extra classrooms will be needed to house the students is unknown. Recently the district Board of Trustees tentatively approved a plan to increase class sizes from 20 to 22. If that stays in place, additional space may not be needed. Teachers recently given preliminary pink slips will be first in line for any new positions, Superintendent Steve Mitrovich said yesterday.

The unexpected growth will need to be studied more, said board President Beth Hunkapiller. Particularly, the board will need to study the effects on the district in the future and availability of space for enrichment programs like art and music, she said.

Next year, the district anticipated between 315 to 358 kindergarten students would sign up. Realistically, 333 students were anticipated, according to a report by Jack Schreder and Associates presented to the board earlier this school year. Just over 400 students signed up, said Mitrovich.

The growth could mean the need for more portables, however there is little space for more classrooms at the school most affected by the growth. White Oaks Elementary saw the largest number of signups. It has a capacity for 80 kindergartners; 130 signed up, said Mitrovich.

New classrooms may not need to be added. In March, the board approved a number of cuts that could result in class size increases.

Under the new reductions, if finalized later this year, kindergarten through third grade classrooms would grow from 20 to 22 students — the allowable limit under the current teacher contract, Mitrovich said.

Class-size reduction was established in 1996 to improve education, particularly reading and math, in children in kindergarten through third grades, according to the California Department of Education Web site. Through the program, classes in those grades require a 20:1 average student-to-teacher ratio compared to the 27:1 ratio within higher grades in the district.

Even with the increased number of students, new classrooms may not be needed if the larger class sizes remain, said Mitrovich.

Before final notices are sent out, San Carlos could have a different economic outlook. The district has a six-year $78 annual parcel tax before voters in May. If approved, the measure would cover about half of the district’s anticipated losses. That could include retaining smaller class sizes. If smaller class sizes are a priority, more classroom space will be needed. Developer fees could be used to add classrooms. Mitrovich was unsure if those funds would be able to cover all costs if the classrooms were needed.  

Enrollment has increased over the past couple of years in San Carlos. The district, being a charter district, often takes students from out of the city. The distinction opens up funding and enrollment options, specifically allowing many from out of the district to attend the schools without much issue, room permitting. Usually about 30 children from outside of the district are enrolled every year. Many of those students were not able to enroll this or last year due to space issues.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.