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Beach Elementary STEAM teacher tells Redford Union board large elementary classes are harming students
Summary
Rebecca Ledom, a STEAM teacher at Beach Elementary, told the Redford Union Schools District No. 1 board at its Sept. 16 workshop that multiple elementary classrooms have more than 30 students, that the school has two teacher vacancies, and that rising special‑needs and behavior challenges make those sizes harmful.
Rebecca Ledom, a STEAM teacher at Beach Elementary, told the Redford Union Schools District No. 1 Board of Education at its Sept. 16 board workshop that several elementary classrooms are at or above 30 students and that those sizes are harming the district’s youngest learners.
Ledom said she works with every classroom in the building and that, while contract maximums and educational best practice are different, the district is currently treating the contract maximum as the standard. “This number should not be a goal or a standard. This should be a worst‑case scenario,” she said, adding that classrooms “filled to the brim” leave teachers unable to differentiate instruction for students with high needs.
The teacher told the board she is aware of “at least four classes over 30 currently,” including two rooms with 33 and 34 students and two more at about 31. She said the school recently removed two classrooms and replaced one with a split class, a move she said will push additional classrooms over 30. Ledom also told board members Beach currently has two teacher vacancies.
Board members asked clarifying questions. Board President Mr. Bailey and board member Miss Martin asked for the teacher’s school and grade assignment; Ledom said she is the STEAM teacher and that she works with all grades and with students who receive special education services. Miss Martin and other board members directed staffing and roster questions to district administrators, specifically naming Superintendent Jason Witt and HR director Judy as the appropriate contacts.
Board member Miss Miller responded to Ledom’s concerns about classroom supports, saying an assistant can help but is not a substitute for certified teachers or additional classrooms. “Assistance is not a solution to the problem, unfortunately. The main classroom teacher needs to be able to meet the needs of all these students,” Miller said.
The board did not take formal action on Ledom’s comments during the workshop; members said they would follow the chain of command and have administrators provide data and an explanation. President Bailey told Ledom the board would have staff follow up and discuss the particulars with her and the district administration.
The meeting proceeded to a scheduled workshop on board self‑assessment and governance following public participation.
