Elementary enrollment holding steady in Levittown

Enrollment in Levittown’s elementary schools is expected to remain steady next year, meaning no changes in staffing levels are needed as the district prepares its 2015-16 budget.

The expected elementary enrollment next year is 2,915 students, down about 60 from the current year, or a 2 percent drop. The loss is spread across six grades and six schools.

The biggest class expected next year is 511 fifth-graders across the district, while 453 new kindergartners are anticipated. Classes sizes would average 20 to 22 students, depending on the grade.

Levittown will need 140 teachers next year at its six elementary schools, the same as this year. Enrollment shifts would mean one less class at the district’s largest elementary building, East Broadway in Seaford, and at the district’s smallest school, Lee Road in North Wantagh. One additional class would be needed at each Abbey Lane and Gardiners Avenue elementary schools.

There will be 16 inclusion classes in the district, which include a mix of general and special education students, and 22 self-contained classes which are for students with special needs. All schools except Lee Road house special education classes.

The total cost for salaries would be about $32.4 million, which also includes sixth-grade teachers at the two middle schools, special education teachers, teacher assistants and aides.

The next budget meeting will be held on March 4, and secondary enrollment and staffing levels will be discussed on March 11.