Three are incumbents and three are challengers, with the latter running on one slate. The board terms are for three years. The incumbents are David Moraski, Kathleen Semko and Laurie Weinstein. Challenging them are Michele Romeo, Elane Warner and Melissa Mantz. The three challengers argue that the decision was made behind closed doors without sufficient public input.
Board members say the decision was necessary to use the school's resources properly.
Class sizes have generally been about 14 or 15 students, Moraski said. He said the new arrangement will just about double that for the fifth and sixth grades. Not every board member is solidly behind the decision. Weinstein, who is running for her third term, said that although she supports the decision she wishes it were made with more community input. Unfortunately, the board made the decision to make the cuts, and as part of that board, I have to stand behind that decision.