Augusta educators to increase class size to cope with teacher shortage

Officials in eastern Georgia are struggling with more students per classroom in some schools.

School administrators in Augusta say budget cuts have caused a shortage of teachers. Because of that, they are seeking permission to expand class sizes in 62 elementary classrooms. It's a problem that school systems across the state have struggled with.

Barbara Pulliam is a school board member in Richmond County. She is also a retired teacher. She opposes efforts to increase class size:

"Small classes not only promote better learning. It eliminates discipline problems. Small classes [are] the answer to a lot of the problems that we're having."

School officials say their request is small: 62 out of 813 classrooms. The matter now goes before state education officials.