COLUMBUS, Ohio-At a recent Columbus school board meeting, teachers from Independence High School expressed concerns about overcrowding and insufficient staffing. The school, with 829 students and 43 staff members, is experiencing average class sizes of 34 students, with some teachers responsible for up to 44 students. Teachers noted the strain this has caused, with increased behavioral incidents linked to the large number of students and lack of support. The Columbus Education Association highlighted that this is a broader issue affecting public schools statewide. Teachers acknowledged the district’s efforts to add staff, but they stressed that it isn’t enough to address the problem. In response, the district has added three positions and reassigned teachers to help manage the situation. School officials are aware of the issue and have visited schools to offer support.
