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Teachers and parents urge board not to increase elementary PE class sizes, citing safety and inclusion
Summary
Multiple teachers and community members told the school board that proposed increases in elementary PE class sizes would harm student safety, reduce individual instruction, and undermine inclusion, urging trustees to reconsider and consult staff before adopting changes.
A string of in-person and remote public commenters asked the San Mateo–Foster City School District board to reconsider proposals to increase elementary physical education class sizes, describing safety risks, diminished instructional quality and equity concerns.
"If we increase PE class sizes, it's possible that I wouldn't have the time to sit and talk to Victoria," said Giovanni, a PE teacher at Fiesta Gardens, recounting how one student withdrew from play after an injury and stressing how smaller classes allowed individualized support to restore that student's participation. He warned that sites holding two classes simultaneously can mean about 70 students in shared spaces and that indoor options during rain are limited, increasing safety and supervision challenges.
Public commenters followed with similar concerns. Dustin Yakubian and Julio Ibara, both speaking during the public comment period, pressed the board to prioritize safety and instructional appropriateness; they said larger PE classes would reduce the ability to give students individual feedback and supervise activities involving equipment.
Brienne Bishop, representing CSEA Chapter 411, acknowledged the board's steps to recognize classified employees but also told trustees the union is in negotiations over wages, healthcare and reclassification for 2025–26; while her remarks focused on member appreciation and bargaining, they underscored staffing pressures the district faces.
Board members repeatedly said they heard speakers' concerns and that the district should provide more information. Trustee Ho specifically asked staff to bring data on participation and the cost model for an extended-day provider being discussed later in the meeting (Peninsula Bridge), linking staffing and program decisions to the broader conversation about program quality.
Why it matters: PE class-size proposals affect student safety, curriculum delivery and staffing needs. Teachers who supervise physical activities say class-size decisions require operational and safety analysis beyond classroom norms.
What’s next: Trustees asked staff to gather participation and operational data and suggested additional outreach to PE teachers and school sites before any formal change is adopted.
