Five years ago, Washington voters passed a law mandating the state to lower class sizes. Today, Washington students are STILL sitting in some of the most crowded classrooms in the country. Why? Because after funding K-3 class size reductions, the Legislature put the remainder of the voter-approved class size reductions on the back burner by repealing the phase-in dates of the initiative.

Instead, lawmakers required Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal to form the “Staffing Enrichment Workgroup”  to make recommendations to phase in lower class sizes in grades 4—12. The workgroup consists of 18 people representing school staff and their unions, principals, administrators and others who work in public education. They have until December 2019 to complete its work. There are no parents, families or community groups on the committee.

Send a message now to encourage Superintendent Chris Reykdal to add a parent/community engagement effort to the work group agenda. Allow families the opportunity to weigh in on critical issues like class sizes, staffing for counselors and social workers, and how school staffing increases are phased in.