Published: September 04, 2008 12:00 am            

Classrooms added as district grows

A larger student population for Norman Public Schools means extra classrooms are needed.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano said enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year was 13,720.

"At this time, we are at 13,968," Siano said.

That figure has jumped about 240 students since last year.

Siano said the number will fluctuate between now and Oct. 1, when enrollment will be recorded.

In the meantime, the district has purchased portable rooms to add class space.

At the May 19 Board of Education meeting, members voted to use undesignated funds from the 2007 bond issue to pay for six portable classrooms to be placed at Cleveland, Madison, Roosevelt, Truman and Washington elementary schools and Whittier Middle School.

According to a construction budget, each building will be about 800 square feet; the project is expected to cost about $349,000.

"We actually construct those on site," Dr. Roger Brown, assistant superintendent, said.

He said the building at Whittier is complete. Construction is under way at Madison, Cleveland, Washington and Roosevelt. Workers should start on Truman's building in the next two weeks.

In addition to having those six buildings constructed, Brown said the district purchased three portable buildings already built. One was placed at Jackson Elementary.

The other two were put at the Central Services Building, he said.

"We have two portables we will be moving once we figure out the enrollment shift and who will benefit from another classroom," he said.

Jackson Elementary principal Craig Stevens said the portable room will house a fifth grade classroom. The room should be ready for students any day now.

"It's almost ready," he said. "We're really excited."

Stevens said Thursday enrollment was at 480 students. That's about 10 to 20 more children than last year.

"We've had a larger number of younger classes," he said.

Stevens said there are four classes each of kindergarten and first and second grades. Third, fourth and fifth grades only need three teachers for each grade level. Also, a part-time music position was added this year.

Jackson's population growth is similar to what Madison Elementary is experiencing.

Madison principal Dr. Lonnie Melvin said the school has grown from last year's count of 550 to 568 students this year. Melvin and faculty predicted the rise.

"My numbers for special education are growing," Melvin said. "I'm having to add another half-time teacher."

She said the room should be ready for students by Oct. 6.

Brown said the student increase is about average for the Norman school system.

"You get an increase in enrollment after Labor Day," he said.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com

        

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