UPDATE: This proposal was approved by the School Committee

Wellesley School Superintendent David Lussier has proposed to the School Committee that new enrollments to K-3rd grade at Hardy Elementary School be closed off for the rest of this school year in order to keep class sizes at acceptable levels.

Lussier says that such enrollment decisions are typically made before a school year starts, sometimes the coming and going of new residents within a school district can push student numbers up to or above ideal levels, and that’s the “unique situation” that has taken place at Hardy of late. The idea would be to move any new students to nearby schools that have capacity, and maintain those assignments for the 2013-2014 school year.

“Enrollment for next year’s Kindergarten class would proceed on a regular schedule but may also require a cap if enrollment numbers begin to exceed projections and space limits,” according to Lussier.

According to the FY13 enrollment report, headcount at Wellesley’s elementary schools was expected to shrink this year, though Hardy was the one exception. Middle School headcount was also expected to fall, while High School enrollment increased.

The Wellesley community will have a chance to chime in on this latest proposal about Hardy at the School Committee meeting on Feb. 12 at 7:30pm in Town Hall. Lussier says he’s hoping a decision can be made before February vacation starts.