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Teachers, union raise alarms about class sizes, staffing cuts and rising workload in Alachua County
Summary
Multiple teachers, a union leader and community members told the Alachua County School Board on Oct. 7 that class sizes, staffing cuts and the rapid roll-out of new programs are harming instruction and creating operational problems. Speakers urged an immediate superintendent search and changes to staffing and pay policies.
Teachers, paraprofessionals and the local union told the Alachua County School Board on Oct. 7 that rising class sizes, cuts to support staff and the rapid introduction of new programs have created operational strain and are harming student instruction.
Kristen Maine, a social studies teacher at Lofton High School, told the board she started the school year "with 38 freshmen in a classroom with 28 desks for two weeks." "When class sizes exceed reasonable limits because staffing decisions are delayed or restricted, students are the ones that ultimately pay the price," Maine said, and she urged the board to release needed sections earlier and to begin a transparent superintendent search so policy changes are not implemented without long-term leadership.
Union president Carmen Ward said the Alachua County Education Association and bargaining teams have…
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