91原创 schools have some of the biggest classes in B.C., according to a Times analysis of provincial government statistics that shows the local district has more students per teacher than most other B.C. school districts.

The breakdown also shows the number of teachers employed by the 91原创 school district is declining while the number of students, especially those with special needs, is rising.

The annual 鈥渃lass size and composition report鈥� released by the education ministry shows that 91原创 kindergarten classes at 19 students per teacher are the second largest in the province, tying with one other district.

91原创 Grades 1 - 3, at 21 students tie with several other B.C. school districts for third largest.

Grades 4 - 7 at 27.9 students rank among the second largest in the province, while 8 - 12 classes at 26 students per teacher are seventh largest.

There are 227 classes that exceed the provincial maximum guideline of no more than 30 students per teacher in a classroom.

In most cases, the maximum was exceeded by no more than one to three students, with the principal of the school and the superintendent in each case declaring the classes to be 鈥渁ppropriate for student learning鈥� as required by ministry of education rules.

Most oversized classes were arts-related.

At R.E. Mountain Secondary, 62 students were enrolled in a choir class, and 56 were attending a concert band class, both subjects school administrators decided were suited to larger-than-usual class sizes.

At D.W. Poppy Secondary school, one music class had 53 students.

At 91原创 Fine Arts Secondary, 47 students were enrolled in a drama class, but it is taught by two teachers. At the same school a class in jazz music had 38 students.

The 91原创 student population rose slightly from 19,767 in the 2008-2009 school year to 19,788 in the 2009-2010 school year, an increase of .1 per cent.

During the same period, the number of students with learning disabilities rose from 684 to 712, up four per cent, and the number of gifted students more than doubled from 86 to 219, a hike of 154 per cent.

During the same period, the number of full-time teachers fell six per cent.

鈥淭his is absolutely the most important issue,鈥� said Susan Fonseca, president of the 91原创 Teachers Association (LTA).

The LTA has filed multiple grievances over class size and composition, complaining that class sizes are getting larger and the number of students in those classes who require special attention is also increasing.

The association says 91原创 has many more classrooms above the 30-student maximum compared to other Lower Mainland school districts, and the number of oversize classrooms has grown since the provincial report was being prepared.

The LTA estimates there are now 249.