Teachers cite survey data showing large class sizes, urge caps during negotiations
Loading...
Summary
The Redwood City Teachers Association told the board that teachers are often working with classes of 25–30 students and urged caps (K–5 at 20; middle school at 25); union leaders presented survey findings and asked the board to prioritize class‑size reductions in bargaining.
The Redwood City Teachers Association presented teacher survey data to the school board on April 1, saying current class sizes are straining instruction and recovery from post‑pandemic learning losses.
"For current class sizes, current average class size reported is between the range of 21 and 28 with 27 being a frequent answer," RCTA president Brenna Gear told trustees. The union's survey found period‑based and multi‑group configurations frequently reach the high‑20s or exceed 30 students per period, and 76% of teachers surveyed said their classes are too large to meet differentiated needs.
Multiple classroom teachers at public comment described the impact in concrete terms. Teacher Christy Herrera said, "I have 28 students. 33 percent have IEPs. 63 percent are multilingual learners. 37 percent have elevated behavioral needs," and urged the district to "invest in smaller class sizes, consistent classroom support, equity, not just in words, but in action." First‑grade teacher Sofia Santos described a class of 27 with "18 percent of students have IEPs, 70 percent are multilingual learners," and said smaller classes (she cited 1:15 in primary grades) lead to better foundational skill development.
The RCTA asked trustees to consider caps of 20 for K–5 and 25 for middle school and recommended redistribution of students across sites to reduce combo classes in early grades. The union said its survey shows teachers often can give only a few minutes of individualized attention per student under current loads; for example, 54% of surveyed teachers reported they spend less than 10 minutes per day with each student in self‑contained classes.
Board members noted that negotiations over class size are happening at the bargaining table and that trustees must refrain from public comment while talks are active. "Because we're under union negotiation right now, there can be no board comment or question," the president said before the presentation.
Why it matters: Teachers argued that class size directly affects instructional equity and the district's ability to meet mandated professional standards; trustees and union negotiators will need to weigh class‑size caps against budget and staffing realities during bargaining.
No board action was taken at the meeting; the presentation was received and recorded as part of the public negotiation process.
