Based on the projected California Governor’s Budget for 2012-13, over 1,600 public school employees may be laid off, 13 of which work at UC High. If approved, these cuts would lead to drastically increased class sizes at UC High and throughout California.

The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education voted 5-0 on March 6 to approve what they felt were necessary cuts, including the layoff of over 800 teachers, which would be compensated for by increasing class sizes, according to ABC 10 News (10news.com).

According to Principal Jeff Olivero, the overall average class size at UC High would increase from this year’s 32 students per class to 39 for the 2012-2013 school year. Olivero said, “Although there would be a range for different subjects, most classes would increase [by about 7 students per class]. I’m trying to keep science classes down to 37 because of labs.” All class sizes would increase, meaning that a class now at 40 could be at 47 next year.

The district will cut funds from UC High for the equivalent of 12.8 teachers’ salaries this year. Olivero explained, “We can decide to cut maybe 11 teachers, but then we have to cut in other areas, for instance, a counselor. It’s a matter of making it all work and finding that balance.” He added, “If we were to reduce the 13 teacher loss, courses would possibly be eliminated instead. It’s too early to tell, and would depend on what students chose during articulation, but sections of electives with the least populations could be eliminated.”

With 13 pink slips having already been handed out to UC High teachers, Olivero feels these warnings have challenged morale. He said,“Teachers still have that human side of them, which makes it hard for them to fully invest in a system that seems to be saying goodbye.”

These changes and accommodations will not be definite until at least June when the state budget is approved, according to Olivero. “Right now, this is the reality unless something changes,” he explained. “I put out a proposal to try and reduce class sizes by having a seven-period day; however, I have a hunch that teachers won’t see the reduced class size weighing more than the extra work involved.”

   Olivero considers class size a large factor in student learning. “Any time you have a larger class, it’s harder for the teacher to differentiate their teaching to the needs of a variety of students. They tend to stand and deliver more, rather than be able to work one-on-one with the students,” he said.

AP World History Teacher Jonathan Schiller has one of the largest classes on campus. With 42 students in one period, he said, “It’s definitely more challenging to teach a larger class. You have a harder time with classroom management, and it’s harder to get that many students on the same page, in addition to getting feedback from everyone. You aren’t as able to give assignments or do activities that cannot be done with such a large group, such as Socratic Seminars.” One English teacher also noted that the difference between grading 175 essays and 210 essays is more significant than most would imagine. English teachers may end up having to assign fewer papers in order to handle the workload.

The possible class increases seem to be inevitable, according to Schiller. “As things are now, it looks like classes will get significantly larger. Of course, this is all based on assumptions, as the state funding projection has not come out yet,” he said. “I’m not sure that I can physically fit ten more desks in this room. I guess I’d have to take every bookshelf out, take out my desk, dump my stuff in the corner of the floor, and take out the Promethean board.”

Whether students feel the impact of increased class size depends on the teacher’s ability to handle a larger class and the students’ motivation in class, according to Junior Karen Lee. “If teachers know how to handle a larger class, [increased class size] won’t affect the students. However, if they don’t, it becomes harder for students to get something from the class because there are more distractions,” she explained.