(First in a series of articles on education issues in Tennessee. Future topics are the plan to eliminate the state’s teacher pay scale and teacher evaluations. We welome comments via letters to the editor, postings on our Facebook page, or email. Please include your name)

Polk County’s top educators are unanimous in their opposition to Gov. Bill Haslam’s  proposal to increase class sizes. Director of Schools James Jones and principals Dr. Jared Bigham, Copper Basin High School; Jason Bell, Polk County High School; Connie Dunn, Chilhowee Middle School; Tammy Dunn, South Polk Elementary; Dr. Tracy McAbee, Benton Elementary; and Pat Smith, Copper Basin Elementary all said the state would be moving backward in education under the governor’s plan. They all noted that smaller class sizes make it possible for teachers to give students more individual attention.

The governor’s proposal would eliminate the current requirement for average class sizes and pay school systems based on the maximum class size, an additional five students in grades K-8. His plan would also eliminate the state salary scale, which provides steps for longevity and additional education, in order to give counties more flexibility in teacher compensation.

Under current law, classes in grades K-3 are to be an average of 20, with a maximum 25. For grades 4-9, it’s an average 25, with a maximum of 30. Under the new law, payment is based on the maximum except grade 9, which remains at 25. For grades 7-12, the maximum class size is 35, with payment based on an average 22.08. Nearly all the elementary and middle school classes in the county are lower than the current average requirement.

In addition to concern about the potential loss of revenue from the state (see separate story), educators voiced strong concern about the impact on the children in Polk County.

Dr. James Jones sees the move as a way for the state to deal with financial problems. “This is the first time we’ve faced this kind of budget cuts because of the economy,” he said, noting it causes a backlash at every corner. “Education is not going to be left out of the backlash.” He said this is a way for state government to balance the budget.

Jones said the state has helped keep class size at a level that’s good for everybody “but I have a feeling that’s going to change a lot in the next few years.” He said it’s hard to see how increasing class size and taking away step increases is going to be good for education. “It’s a mouthful for all of us to swallow.” He said he thinks there is a real gap between what the legislature understands is going on and what’s actually going on.

Jones pointed out that the county depends on federal and state dollars. “If they told us to wear green berets, that’s what we’ll be doing. If they say maximum class sizes, they make the rules and we have to follow.” He added, “I think we stand to lose.” He noted that morale has been down this year because of changes already taking place and said he is trying to assure teachers he is not out to get them but they have to play by the rules when so much is funded by the state and federal government. He said he tries to let teachers know he is only making drastic changes if he is not given a choice.

Jones said he understands the concerns. “If you’re an educator and are being told class sizes will raise, there will be no step increases, we’re going to evaluate you more, and standards are changing – there’s not much to be excited about.” Yet, he said, some of the changes have been good by motivating teachers that needed to be motivated. “Fear is a great motivator,” he said, adding the efforts have been really good this year and he expects to see an increase in test scores.

Dr. Tracy McAbee said Benton would lose funding for 4-5 teachers under the governor’s plan, which he said “looks like an attack on our children. Smaller sizes help educate our children more than anything else, in my humble opinion.” Three or four fewer kids makes more time for each child, and that makes a big difference, he said. McAbee said the Haslam plan is so new that word is just starting to get out. “Some had seen it in the paper and said they were sick to their stomach at the thought that this could happen.” He said Tennessee had been ahead of the curve compared to other states. “We will be going backwards ten years if we do this.”

Pat Smith said there should be no more than 20 children in an elementary classroom if it can possibly be worked out, rather than the 25 proposed in the governor’s plan. Small class sizes are good for kids because they get more attention, she said. Smith said her teachers are upset about a possible increase in class size as well as about the loss of the state salary scale.

“I don’t see how increased class size can help the kids,” said Tammy Dunn, noting some of her teachers began contacting local legislators as soon as they read the article in last week’s Polk County News. She pointed out there has been a push for smaller class sizes for years. Losing that, she said, would mean less individual attention.

Connie Dunn said there has been emphasis on more hands-on activities for students, which is difficult with larger classes. “Teachers can only do so much,” she said, pointing out that classrooms are not getting any larger to accommodate more students. It would be very stressful for the teachers, she said. Dunn said teachers are just beginning to talk about the latest proposal, with many just shaking their heads. “It’s very discouraging,” she said.

Jason Bell said class size is one of the most unsung assets in teaching. “If you want more individualized instruction, lower the class size,” he said. In addition to loss of effective teaching, he said, one of his fears is the fact “I don’t see how you can fit any more kids in the classrooms.”

Dr. Jared Bigham also said larger sizes would result in wall-to-wall students, not to mention the loss of individual instruction. If you take just one teacher out of the schedule, he said, it would overload classrooms. He said it would be horrendous to try to teach core classes at a maximum size, adding most experts say 16 is the optimum number to manage all learning styles and work with special education students. “This is one of the most ludicrous proposals I’ve heard in a long time,” he said. “It contradicts what all the research shows.” He added he would be very surprised if the state puts it into effect, noting too many legislators have relatives in education. While the legislation took away teacher bargaining rights last year, he said, there’s a big difference between that and doubling class sizes and changing the pay scale.

Bigham, who is Executive Director of the Tennessee Rural Education Association, said the change would be very detrimental to rural schools especially. When there’s a formula based on population, he said, rural schools have little to cut other than teachers. “I’m very surprised as a principal and as a rural educator that this is even being proposed,” he said. Bigham pointed out that “All we’ve heard about the new evaluation system and policies is that they are making research-based decisions.” This new plan, he said, goes in the face of most research. He said adding students to a classroom will mean adding different learning styles and could mean additional special education students who are now included in the regular schedule. “It’s a logistical and instructional nightmare for teachers,” he said.