Oregon lawmakers, educators push to make class size and caseloads mandatory bargaining topics

Representative Leslie Munoz, sponsor of House Bill 3652, told the House Education Committee on March 5 that the bill would make class size and caseload limits a mandatory subject of collective bargaining in all public schools in Oregon. "This bill does not cost any money," Munoz said, adding that the proposal "gives educators the right to discuss this issue with their district and to advocate for class size and caseload."

The bill would expand a 2021 change (Senate Bill 580) that made class size and caseload mandatory subjects of bargaining only in Title I schools. Munoz and several educators and board members said that allowing bargaining conversations statewide would let districts and unions discuss how to manage workload and student supports within local budgets. "We cannot keep asking educators for feedback and discount their expertise when they share it," Munoz said.

Why it matters: supporters framed HB 3652 as a procedural change that requires discussion rather than mandating specific class-size limits or new spending. Lisa Bridal, a state representative and former classroom teacher, said the bill is about process: "This bill would simply ensure that conversations about class size and caseload will happen." Several educators…