During a recent government meeting, concerns regarding the overpopulation of classrooms and its impact on student extracurricular activities were brought to light by West Seattle High School students and parents. A student named Zoey expressed frustration over her inability to start a new law club due to teachers being unable to run any clubs, as they are overwhelmed with class sizes exceeding their capacity. She highlighted that many teachers are already managing classrooms with 28 students over the maximum limit, leaving them without the resources or time to support additional clubs.

Zoey emphasized the importance of clubs for students' personal development and college applications, urging the school district to address the issue of overcrowded classrooms by hiring more teachers. She noted that the current situation not only affects her but also many other students who wish to explore their interests through clubs.

Paul Begala, a parent and PTSA president, echoed Zoey's concerns, stating that West Seattle High is under-resourced and in desperate need of additional staffing. He called for at least two full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to alleviate the burden on teachers and improve the educational environment for students. He pointed out that budget cuts over the past few years have exacerbated the staffing shortages, leading to increased class sizes and diminished support for students.

Another parent, Nelson Conley, shared insights about the unique needs of students in specialized programs, particularly those with hearing impairments. He highlighted the importance of facilities that cater to these students, noting that modifications made to support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program at TOPS have been crucial for their success. Conley emphasized that such specialized environments foster community and provide essential support for students with unique challenges.

The testimonies from students and parents underscore a pressing need for the school district to address staffing shortages and classroom overcrowding to ensure that students have access to extracurricular activities and the support they need to thrive academically and socially.