Portland Public Schools officials overstepped in forcing district teachers to take on more classes and students, and owe affected educators a total $1.5 million, a state arbitrator ruled this week [1], the Huffington Post reports. Portland schools cut 44 teaching positions in the fall, saving the district $4 million [2], according to The Oregonian. Consequently, class periods were consolidated so that teachers taught six 90-minute classes that meet every other day, compared to the previous five 50-minute classes daily. One high school had to pack 200 students into a single 90-minute study hall period. [3] State arbitrator William Reeves rules that the district must provide back pay to teachers who weren’t paid for the additional work time, offer a schedule adjustment or both. The payment would cost the district an estimated $750,000. Another $750,000 would go toward compensating teachers for the added burden of teaching more students…