We, the parents of students at Glenn Stephens Elementary School, urge the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education to recognize

• the numerous studies confirming the beneficial effect of reducing class size to no more than 18 students in grades K-3, especially for low-income and minority students;
• the unusually large enrollment in the Stephens first-grade cohort causing class sizes to increase to 24-25 students per class; and
• the inequity of Stephens being ineligible for state SAGE/AGR funding to reduce class size notwithstanding Stephens having a higher proportion of low-income, minority, and English language learner (ELL) students than other Madison schools receiving such funding.

In light of the above, we further urge the Board to adopt all measures appropriate to address the class size disparity, including:

• An additional classroom and staff allocation in the 2017-18 school year for Stephens' second-grade class; and
• Adequate funding for all schools to target 18 students per class in grades K-3.