Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) changed next year’s class size capacity to 37 students last month.
In previous years the capacity had been 39 students first semester and 37 students second semester. This law had not been a problem in prior years because classes did not reach capacity very often.
However, recently students have chosen to take more classes, and due to budget cuts the district has packed the classes more to capacity. As a result, it is more difficult to cut down classes from 39 to 37 students second semester.
Due to this difficulty in meeting such requirements the teacher’s negotiations team requested the district to change this law.
The negotiations team represents the teachers every year at the district. Their job is to negotiate teachers’ next contract with HBUHSD.
After consulting next year’s budget and considering students’ needs, the district agreed to these changes. Consequently, next year the cap on class sizes will remain at 37 students for both semesters.
“The school board was not happy with the student changes [last] semester,” said Teachers’ Union President Cathy Lichodziejewski (Leo). “They’re very student-centered; they want what’s best for students.”
As a result of these changes, in September there may be more classes overall. Furthermore, more teachers will be hired on campus, and classes will not be as crowded as they once were. This will ease the stress on guidance specialists in meeting the previous cap on class sizes and increase efficiency in transitioning between semesters.
“Each of the classes will be a little bit smaller,” said Leo. “There might have to be more classes in September. Which means more teachers are hired, and the students are less crowded. So we feel like it’s a win-win-win.”
