Iowa-Grant school board votes to increase class sizes; legal counsel says decision a stalemate

LIVINGSTON, Wis. — Despite some pushback from parents and teachers the past few weeks, the Iowa-Grant school board voted to increase class sizes.

Just minutes before we broadcast the story, the district’s legal counsel called us saying the decision was not valid and was a stalemate.

A lot of confusion at the Iowa-Grant school board meeting tonight. After the board voted to increase class sizes despite pushback from parents and teachers, the schools legal counsel told us minutes to our broadcast the decision was a stalemate. #News3Now pic.twitter.com/kQB4txyhO3

— Jamie Perez (@JamiePerezTV) February 28, 2019

In the board meeting, the school board went on record with a 3-3 vote then passes the motion for increased class sizes.

With no majority decision voting yes or no, many in the attendance were left confused on how a decision was reached.

Aside from the confusion on that front, many were unclear about the decision itself.

The board voted to have a maximum of 16 students per kindergarten class, 17 students for first through third-graders, and a maximum of 18 students for fourth through eighth-graders plus the grade level.

When asked for clarification of what exactly the board had just passed, Superintendent Stephanie Hubbard said, “I need to clarify that a little bit further. I do think there are minimums. I’m not as clear as far as what those are.”

Parents and teachers left the meeting emotional, under the impression that this decision of class size maximums had been reached.

“I feel for our staff tonight,” said parent Megan Doyle. “I saw a lot of the staff walk out with tears in their eyes. It means uncertainty for them and big changes in the school year ahead for them.”

The legal counsel person we spoke with said another meeting will need to be scheduled to make a valid decision.

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