East st. Louis School District - School Closings

Asked whether class sizes will increase, Saunders said yes, "but not by much."

She said elementary schools will have 25 students per class, middle schools will have 30 per class and the high school will have 32 per class, which is what the teachers' union contracts call for, Saunders said.

Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/30/1650380/district-189-closing-3-schools.html#ixzz1I6kn7cmI

I don't understand how closing three entire schools and laying off 287 teachers can be described as increasing class size "but not by much." Are children leaving the district as well? Its troubling what is happening in regards to their school system and the city in general. I know for a fact there are good people in East St. Louis trying to improve things. They're life long residents and everyone seems against them.