NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊIn nearly a carbon copy of the first meeting at Laketon Elementary, parents shared the same concerns Tuesday about elementary school reconfiguration possibilities.

Class size and busing loomed as the largest issues.

Parents said the task force needs to investigate other avenues for alleviating the problem.

Both elementary schools are "significantly below" the state's average, according to the feasibility study. Laketon Elementary has smaller classes than Manchester, though.

"Class size does make a really, really big difference," said Diane Sincroft, Manchester Elementary teacher.

Beth Rosen, a first-grade teacher at Manchester Elementary, agreed. A 25-student class doesn't allow for individual attention, especially when first grade is the "largest window for learning to read," she said.

With reconfiguration, parents asked about changes in the transportation system. One parent said her child rides an hour to school already. She doesn't want a longer trip.

If the schools were reconfigured, said Sincroft, the split would be "a small concern in the big picture."

The feasibility study suggested splitting the elementary schools into primary and intermediary schools: kindergarten through third grade and fourth through sixth grades, respectively. With slipping enrollment numbers and growing financial burdens, the study said the corporation needs to find ways of becoming more "effective and efficient."

The task force's school board representative, Brad Perrott, said reconfiguration could be redistricting, volunteer or forced teacher transfers "or another major change."

"What really the school board is looking at is the long term," said Perrott.

"If you don't ever investigate, you're never going to better yourself," said Kirk Brice, parent. [[In-content Ad]]