(10/26/06) LAWRENCE - A conflict between the Lawrence School District and the teachers union fell on students' laps Thursday with one school's response to its overcrowded classrooms.

Angry parents met with school administrators after receiving a letter ordering their kids to switch elementary schools. The most recent teachers union contract specifies a class size cap of 22 students. There are five students too many at the Lawrence's School No. 6, meaning each of the classes would have 23 or 24 children per teacher. Parents are furious the issue is being handled a month into the school year, saying another teacher should have been hired during the summer.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vicki Currant says she had hoped an agreement would be reached with the union, but they refused to budge. The union president has not returned calls for comment.