By BARBARA GREEN
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A combination of space constraints and efforts to address accountability factors have led Bowie Independent School District Trustees to begin the debate of moving third grade back to the intermediate campus.
At last week’s board meeting, Superintendent Blake Enlow said there have been lots of ideas passed around among the administrative team, and they need to get board feedback and discuss how to garner public input.
In 2017 the third grade moved back to the elementary from the intermediate. It was 2009 when the third grade went to the intermediate campus as it was established when the high school moved to its new building.
Elementary Principal Kathy Green and Intermediate Principal Sara Cravens were asked to report on potential changes and how they could be incorporated into their campuses.
The third grade has 125 students at this time. The grade has grown some from 2017 when the population ranged from 120 to 140 students.
Green said the campus improvement committee discussed what would be best for the students.
“What it boils down to is not space, but the biggest concern is getting those classroom ratios down from 22 in every class to 18 or 19. That level gets the most from the time and allows for individual attention some kids may need. That is the priority for me,” said Green.
She gave the board two maps of the present layout at the campus showing one with three new teachers and without third grade and one with three new teachers with third grade.
Green explained they already have some classes doubled up including three speech teachers in one room, two Response to Intervention teachers doubled up.

Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.