School overcrowding is a hot topic for many teachers and parents especially as the population of Washoe County grows. That's why the school board took action on the issue at Tuesday night's meeting.
Schools will stay on the current balanced calendar for the next school year. But starting in the fall of 2017, Double Diamond and Brown Elementary Schools will move to a multi-track schedule.
Sepulveda and Maxwell Elementaries could also move to the year-round program.
The superintendent says the move allows more time for families and the school district to plan ahead.
"We really tried to get the best answer, as we did not sacrifice what we believe is important for our kids, our fundamentals about what we feel about education and safety,” says Traci Davis.
Double Diamond expects about 1,000 students next school year.
That's more than 25% above capacity. That school, along with Sepulveda and Kate Smith will get additional portable classrooms next year.
"We now have three portable buildings. That's six classrooms. We're, hopefully, going to have one for next school year, as well. We currently have six teams, which is two teachers in a classroom, which allows you to have more students per that classroom space,” says Double Diamond Principal Mike Dixon.
Dixon says they are utilizing every nook and cranny for teaching space including small group instructions in common areas.
"We're doing the best we can but learning is becoming impeded. When you're teaching outside your classroom, teaching in the hallways, it's just not quiet space for learning. That's the impact on our learning that a lot of people aren't aware of, that we need to do a better job of sharing."
Brown Elementary School is also facing the same overcrowding issues.
In a multi-track system 25% of the student body would be on break at all times - with four different groups alternating schedules year-round.
Most parents say the plan would be a last resort.
"Year-round schedule is a short-term fix. It's do-able. It's just, I don't think it's a long-term solution,” says parent Brandi Anderson.
Parent Patricia Jacquez adds, "It is a serious issue because it's gonna continue being overcrowded and more populations are coming in and there's no quick fix."
Parents and the school district agree the ideal fix is to build more schools. But without proper funding, parents say it is the community's job to come up with a revenue source to make it happen.
"We've got incredible development here and incredible growth and we should have the same commitment to the development of the children,” says Anderson.
