NC schools say they may cut arts, PE to meet new class size limits

RALEIGH -- School systems around North Carolina are warning they may have to cut arts and physical education programs in elementary schools this fall if state lawmakers don’t back off on new limits that would make class sizes smaller.

State legislators reduced how large class sizes can be starting this fall in kindergarten through third grade. But school leaders say finding the money and teachers to staff the smaller classes will force them to consider options such as cutting the arts, raising class sizes in other grades and asking counties to pick up the tab.

The state mandate could require an additional $27 million in local money to keep the special programs in Wake County, according to Wake school board member Bill Fletcher.

“Right now we’re trying to figure out how we can continue to provide great arts services for our elementary schools,” Fletcher said. “We’re working to undo this change because we believe most of the legislators who supported this didn’t understand the unintentional consequences of what they thought was a good decision.”

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article127291144.html