The Bellevue School District (BSD) held its regular board meeting on May 1, 2025, where educators, parents, and community members voiced significant concerns regarding staffing and resource allocation in the district's restoration plan. The meeting highlighted pressing issues related to class sizes, support for students with special needs, and the overall impact of budget cuts on educational quality.

The meeting commenced with a representative from Sammamish High School addressing the board about the reduction of staffing for the photography program, which has been cut from 1.2 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) to 0.7 FTE. This change raises concerns about class sizes, with the English Language Arts (ELA) department facing a proposal to combine Advanced Placement (AP) literature classes into larger sections of 42 students, significantly exceeding the contractually agreed target of 26. The speaker emphasized that such increases in class size hinder teachers' ability to provide meaningful instruction and feedback.

Further concerns were raised regarding physical education and health staffing, which is also facing cuts, leading to projected class sizes of 40 to 50 students. Comparatively, other schools in the district, such as Bellevue High School, maintain class sizes closer to the target. The speaker urged the board to prioritize equitable staffing in the restoration plan, particularly for Title 1 schools, to ensure all students receive adequate support.

Parent Mindy Carroll shared her experiences coordinating care for her daughter, who requires various specialist services. She highlighted the need for improved communication between school specialists and parents to ensure that students receive consistent support and that parents are informed of any missed services.

Amy Lennox, co-chair of the Bellevue PTSA Council Special Services Committee, expressed concerns about the lack of accountability in the IEP process. She called for better tracking of service minutes and accommodations to ensure that students receive the support they need and that parents are kept informed.

Reagan Lourdan, representing the Bellevue Education Association (BEA), addressed the projected increase in class sizes and the implications for educators and students. She urged the board to communicate the practical impacts of these changes to families, emphasizing that while teachers remain committed, the increased workload will affect their ability to provide individualized attention to students.

The meeting concluded with Christy Schwessinger thanking the community for their advocacy efforts in securing funding for K-12 education. She acknowledged the challenges ahead due to budget reductions but urged the board to focus on foundational skills, particularly literacy, as the district navigates these financial constraints.

Overall, the meeting underscored the urgent need for the Bellevue School District to address staffing inequities and enhance communication between educators, specialists, and families to ensure that all students receive the support necessary for their academic success.