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Parents say Erickson Elementary kindergarten classes are overcrowded; board hears requests for another teacher
Summary
Multiple parents told the board Erickson Elementary currently has two kindergarten classes of 27 students each, with three empty classrooms available at the school; they asked the district to hire another kindergarten teacher to split the classes and improve equity and learning conditions.
Parents from Erickson Elementary pressed the board on classroom sizes as part of the citizen comment period, saying two kindergarten sections of 27 students each create an inequitable learning environment and undue stress for young children.
Gail Burns Jr described seeing children and parents stressed by the crowded classrooms and said she had heard that some teachers are not permitted to discuss staffing conditions publicly. Caitlin Burns told the board "We have 3 empty classrooms right now" at Erickson and asked the district to use available space to hire another kindergarten teacher so classes can be divided and teachers can give students more individualized attention. Christopher Williams, another parent, urged the board to consider reducing class sizes to provide safe spaces for 5- and 6-year-olds.
Board members did not take an immediate vote on staffing changes during the meeting. The discussion highlighted parent requests for a district response about class-size policy and whether existing budgets or staffing plans could be adjusted to add an additional kindergarten teacher at Erickson. The district did not provide a specific plan or timeline in the meeting record; administration indicated follow-up would occur through standard channels.
Next steps: parents requested the district evaluate available space and staffing to reduce kindergarten class sizes at Erickson and to respond publicly about options and constraints.
