SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Students returning to Spanish Fort classrooms Monday might have noticed a few more faces than in years past, but larger classrooms are a small price to pay when weathering proration amid steady growth, school officials said.

“We’re doing as well as can be expected from the budget cuts,” said Rockwell Elementary School Principal Robbie Owen, who was forced to cut three positions—but only one teaching unit—when the state announced sweeping funding cuts in April.

The school was spared what might have been a devastating staffing blow, however, when district lines were redrawn earlier this year to funnel some Rockwell students to Spanish Fort Elementary School along with six teaching units. So while Rockwell closed the 2008-09 school year with 830 students, it begins 2009-10 with only about 650, a number Owen expects to exceed 700—on par with SFES—before the close of the year.

“We expect to be almost exactly the same size as Spanish Fort Elementary by the end of the year because we’re growing faster than they are. We have faster-growing subdivisions,” he said.

Indeed, Rockwell students hail primarily from Plantation Hills, Bay Branch, TimberCreek, Churchill, Cambron and historic Malbis, with room for more development farther down Alabama Highway 181, Owen said.

Countywide, an estimated 26,650 students began the school year Monday, representing an increase of about 5 percent compared to one year ago and almost 15 percent since 2004.

Shifting students to SFES made sense in light of budget constraints, though, because the 550-student capacity Rockwell already uses seven portable classrooms—down from 13 at the close of last year—while SFES uses none even after welcoming the influx of new students. Spanish Fort Elementary Principal Rebecca Comer was not immediately available for comment.

Spanish Fort Middle School Principal Carol Palumbo said although the school lost “a number of very good people,” only two were core academic teachers and one was an elective teacher. The balance, she said, was absorbed by combining some special-education responsibilities, and all of her teachers and staff have remained “upbeat.”

“All in all, the program we offer here is as outstanding as ever. Yes, our class sizes are somewhat larger, but far from extreme. I have 37 teaching units here serving 736 students, but remember that the number of teachers includes special-education teachers that do not have regular class sizes,” she said.

“As far as other staff, although we lost some special-education aide support, we actually gained an additional office worker and custodian as the county has tried to balance those areas. We were in desperate need of those so I am very happy to have the additional help.”

And while Rockwell starts the year with 32 teaching units—up three from the close of 2008-09—Owen notes it represents a net loss of seven teachers compared to one year ago.

“It’s tough times everywhere. We’ve got no funds for classrooms, no technology funds and no professional-development funds because the state usually provides those, but we’re very optimistic in spite of money,” he said.

Specifically, Owen credits the Spanish Fort Educational Enrichment Foundation for supplying each classroom with $100 to purchase supplies and the PTA for stepping up to cover all copier contract obligations and expenses for the year, an estimated $10,000 value.

“These two entities immediately came to bat to help us, and we’re extremely grateful,” he said.

Of course, he’s also quick to note the programs—such as art—that will not be affected by the state budget cuts and the school’s partnership with the Mobile Symphony remains intact.

“Everything’s good, and the most important thing is that we’ve got enthusiastic, energetic teachers and staff who are ready to get the new year off to a great start. We know things could be a lot worse,” Owen said.

Indeed, the Baldwin County Board of Education announced Monday it would consider a “reduction in force” before adopting a 1-cent sales tax increase to offset financial cuts.