GWINN — The possibility of a combined fourth/fifth grade classroom at Sawyer Elementary School is just in the discussion stages.

However, that possibility is of concern to some staff at Gwinn Area Community Schools, whose school board talked about the matter at its Wednesday meeting at the Gwinn Middle/High School library.

The district continues to look into ways to alleviate financial challenges and dig its way out of what Superintendent Sandy Petrovich called a “$406,000 hole.”

“Everything is still up in the air, not in a bad way but in a good way, knowing what our potential revenue could be from the state, where our potential savings could be from some of the one-time costs,” said Petrovich, who doesn’t believe it’s “right or fair” to make decisions unless the district has firmer numbers.

Even if it were approved, the fourth/fifth grade combined classroom would be just a temporary fix for one year.

However, Petrovich said the possibility was worth discussing.

Treasurer Dale Wedig said an optimum classroom size is 18 to 22 students.

However, he noted size creates a special difference in kindergarten through sixth grade, with maturity levels varying a good deal, particularly between fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

“They don’t tend to blend well,” Wedig said.

He recommended researching the matter more and keeping the grade levels separate.

Kristy Humphrey, who teaches middle school science, expressed concern about the fourth/fifth grade classroom.

She has experience in teaching split classrooms.

“Until you’ve seen it first-hand, it’s difficult to understand the drastic difference in ability, cognitive function, emotional and social needs to a group of children at a young age, even when they’re only one year apart,” Humphrey said.

That presents special challenges, she noted.

“As you meet the needs of one group — that’s a year different to another group — you’re going to lose one level or the other; either one, because they’re lost, or the other due to boredom,” Humphrey said.

She also wondered about the effect that being in a combined class would have on a child’s growth if that student had to experience an imbalance continually and all day, rather than in just a specific project-based class.

Humphrey pointed out that considering it would be a temporary fix, eliminating separate classrooms for those grades and then reinstating them would make it difficult to build a cohesive team of teachers who know their curricula.

Another concern she addressed was that with an overloaded teacher-student ratio, not enough attention can be given to each youngster.

She said that in 2013-14, staff discussed reconfiguring the district to have a building for students in kindergarten through fourth grade, and Gwinn Middle/High School to house students in grades 5 through 12.

“Can we reconfigure things to make things smooth, to not eliminate our teacher-student ratio, but can we reconfigure and reduce money you’re spending on bricks and mortar?” Humphrey asked.

A long-term solution is needed, she said, especially when there’s room at the middle/high school.

Petrovich agreed with the concept of long-term thinking regarding the district’s financial status.

“That’s a real goal I think all of us have, is not just patching up next year, but let’s look at long-term,” Petrovich said.

The GACS Board of Education will meet May 21.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.