One in five Minneapolis elementary classrooms exceeds class-size limits the district agreed to in a deal to end the 2022 teachers’ strike, according to a Sahan Journal analysis of Minneapolis Public Schools data.
The district proposed larger class sizes last spring to help balance the budget in the face of a massive shortfall. But in recent weeks, parents have shown up at school board meetings to express their frustration with overcrowding.
Many parents spoke during the public comment period of a December 10 school board meeting, imploring the district to address class sizes.
Mina Thao, whose son attends Bryn Mawr Elementary School, spoke tearfully about how much her son loves his school. She explained that he has autism, and when he first came to Bryn Mawr at 3 he was nonverbal. Now, she said, he is in fourth grade and “is talking nonstop.”
“Ian is currently struggling here at Bryn Mawr due to the overcrowded classroom size of 36 students,” she said. “It is important that his services don’t get delayed due to the classroom size.” During a recent test, she said, her son did not receive the support he needed due to the large number of students. As a result, he didn’t answer any questions on the test.