Bergeson, Local Educators Discuss Class-Size Program

IRVINE — Marian Bergeson, Gov. Pete Wilson’s chief education policy advisor, touted the state’s class-size reduction program Thursday to about 70 educators here.

“It’s absolutely incredible to view the level of accomplishments,” said Bergeson, the state secretary of child development and education, told about teachers and school officials at El Camino Real Elementary School in Irvine. “Of the teachers that we have talked to, so many have said it’s the best thing that ever happened.”

Last year, Wilson and the Legislature agreed to a massive, voluntary program to cut class size in California’s public kindergarten, first-, second- and third-grade classes to no more than 20 students each, down from an average of 28.5. Of the 895 districts eligible, 851 have participated so far, though many have faced enormous challenges in finding new classroom space and hiring new teachers.

Earlier this month, Wilson proposed adding nearly $500 million in the 1997-98 budget, on top of more than $770 million budgeted this year, for the program. He also is seeking more money for buildings.

Among the ideas Bergeson said she would relay to the governor was a proposal by Dennis Smith, superintendent of the Irvine Unified School District, to give districts a bit of wiggle room with the official reduction target of 20 students per class.

Bergeson, who has been an Orange County state senator and a supervisor, also said she has received many letters from parents and educators in the Capistrano Valley, where school officials have struggled to find space for an avalanche of new students. She urged people to keep writing

“We need this kind of feedback as we look at our proposals, evaluate our success and how we’re going to go forward,” she said.