Torrance teachers urge smaller elementary class sizes as board approves layoff notices

Several Torrance Unified teachers used the public‑comment period to press the board for immediate action on classroom support and class sizes ahead of the district’s staffing notices.

Lisa Hamilton, a 28‑year classroom teacher, told trustees that student behavior and anxiety have worsened and blamed large class sizes, tough academic expectations and mainstreaming practices that she said leave general‑education teachers without adequate adult support. "I beseech you to be the first district to significantly reduce class size at the elementary level and give the students the support they desperately need," Hamilton said.

Another elementary teacher, Kristen Yungi of Lincoln Elementary, criticized what she described as ineffective spending on programs such as i‑Ready and on repeated data‑gathering. She urged redirecting funds to hire instructional aides and reduce combination classes, saying that when her room had an aide the amount of literacy instruction doubled. "Twenty percent of my students don't meet the end‑of‑year standard," she said, and argued that direct classroom support would better help struggling learners.

Those remarks came as the board voted to adopt Resolution HR03 (Education Code §§44949, 44955) to notify certain certificated employees of non‑reemployment or reduced hours because of program reductions, and Resolution HR04 to notify certain classified employees of non‑reemployment or reduced hours due to lack of work or funds. Staff said the certificated resolution concerns a teacher who served visually impaired students and that the employee would be placed on the 39‑month rehire list should a position reopen.

Trustees did not debate the underlying merits of the classroom staffing requests during the public‑comment period but acknowledged the concerns and said they would consider the input as the district develops budgets and staffing plans.