Parents and staff urge smaller classes and more staffing; teacher cites safety concerns

Three public commenters used the meeting's public comment period to press the board on class size, staffing and safety.

A parent identified as Mr. Boyd said families are leaving the district for smaller classes in neighboring systems and asked the board to prioritize smaller class sizes so teachers are less overwhelmed and can better support students. "Please give our children the size the class size that leads to better outcomes," the commenter said.

Mary Crate, president of the Waterford Education Association, thanked negotiators for reaching tentative agreements but urged the district to include staff retention and contract stability as priorities in the upcoming strategic plan. Crate said long negotiation timelines and turnover harm students and pledged the union's participation in stakeholder sessions.

Teacher Joe Humphrey, who identified himself as working at Kings and Montgomery schools, said staff reductions and reassignments had left remaining employees covering multiple roles, increased classroom disruptions and raised safety concerns. "Many of the staff members... said they are looking for other jobs because of the worries of their safety on top of the added job responsibilities," Humphrey said.

Board members listened and thanked speakers; no immediate policy action was imposed during public comment. Administrators and board leaders acknowledged the concerns and pointed to negotiated agreements and strategic-plan work as forums to address staffing and retention.