JOHNSTON — The state education commissioner yesterday denied a complaint from parents who alleged that the Winsor Hill School is too overcrowded to provide the quality education that students are entitled to under Rhode Island law.

The elementary school’s student population increased dramatically last year after the transfer of 130 students from Graniteville School to Winsor Hill in an effort to save money through consolidation.

“The school district has shown Winsor Hill School is providing students with a quality education, despite the initial difficulties created by the merger of two distinct student populations,” says the written decision of the commissioner, Peter McWalters.

“Although the parents skillfully presented their case, much of it wilted under the pressure of cross-examination,” the decision says.

McWalters issued the decision weeks after a two-day hearing that had delved into allegations involving the school’s compliance with fire-safety laws, special-education requirements, mandates on class size, reported busing problems and crowded lunchrooms.

A group of parents led by Traci Rossi, a Democratic candidate for Town Council, had argued that deficiencies in these areas eroded the school’s ability to provide a quality education.

In denying the parents’ appeal, McWalters determined that there “is some question about whether the Winsor school is in compliance with state health instruction standards.”

Testimony from the hearings “indicates that students are receiving only about half of the 100 minutes they are required to receive” under the law, according to McWalters’ decision.

The decision calls for Supt. Margaret A. Iacovelli to provide a report on how Winsor Hill and the school system will comply with the law.

McWalters gave a brief response to the other concerns, which, in his view, do not rise to the level of any “major operational difficulties.”

“Some class sizes have gone up but not to an unusual level,” the decision says.

“Early in the school year, some buses arrived at school late,” it says. “This problem appears to have been substantially remediated.”

“Lunchrooms are crowded but manageable,” it says, “…The school has been inspected by fire authorities and is now in compliance with applicable standards.”

Iacovelli welcomed the decision, saying that she “was confident from the start.”

“I do believe we are providing a good education in Johnston,” she said.

She acknowledged that the school system can’t easily document its past compliance with the requirement for 100 minutes of health and physical education.

“I knew that was the one point they could catch me on based on the testimony,” Iacovelli said.

Each elementary school teacher is responsible for ensuring that his or her students receive 55 minutes of health education in addition to the 45 minutes that they spend each week with one of the district’s roving physical education teachers, she said.

A marching drill in music class or a particular health-related science lesson can cover the gap, she said.

But she said she is in no position to document the time and the district’s teachers are not required to keep records on it.

“I have not seen that since the ’80s,” Iacovelli said.

She announced the formation of a committee on health and physical education to study the issue.

Meanwhile, Rossi said state education officials had ignored paperwork from the district’s busing contractor. The record showed that buses had been late 58 times in a single month, she said.

She also bemoaned the commissioner’s stance on allegations about the district’s compliance with students’ individual education plans.

“I will remain dedicated to being a voice for the parents’ and citizens’ concerns,” she said.

mreynold@projo.com