Everett PE teachers urge board to limit middle-school class sizes to 32

Kurt Forsyth, a physical education specialist at Eisenhower Middle School, told the Everett school board on May 25 that middle school PE classes across the district are sometimes as large as 40 students and urged the board to push for lower caps in upcoming contract negotiations.

"It is a disservice to our students to allow classes as large as 40 when all other general education subjects have class size limits of 32," Forsyth said, adding that oversized classes make it harder to build relationships, provide activity opportunities, ensure safety and supply equipment for every student.

Forsyth said middle-school students are sometimes taught health education on the gym floor without classroom resources, limiting instructional opportunities compared with high school health classes that have classrooms and smaller sizes. He asked the board to review a detailed supporting document he submitted by email and to pursue changes through school leaders during contract bargaining.

The chair thanked Forsyth for bringing frontline experience to the board and noted the value of seeing conditions in schools.

Forsyth requested the board consider two actions: review his supporting document with data, and use board influence through district leaders during contract negotiations to seek kid-centered solutions for PE class sizes.