Smaller class sizes the next victim of budget cuts?

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Another resolution in the House could change the class-size rules altogether, putting the issue back on the ballot.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Smaller class sizes could soon become the next victim of Florida's budget cuts.

According to the voter-imposed class size amendment, public schools from pre-k to third grade can have no more than 18 students to a classroom. That rule goes into effect August 2009.

But a bill on the table this session could postpone the date and save the state money.

Hillsborough County Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia would like to see that happen, especially in this rough economy.

"It's important for us to think about what is the most reasonable thing to do to support students," Elia said. "But also in the particular situation we're facing now in Florida, what is the most feasible situation."

Jean Clements with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association wants to make sure the law doesn't drastically change. After all, more than 50 percent of the voters supported it back in 2002.

"The class size amendment is right. It was right then, it's right now," Clements said. To use the economy as an excuse to change something that was done right the first time is kind of short-sided."

At Sessums Elementary School in Riverview crews are adding the walls to new classrooms. Part of the money to build the new classrooms comes from the state. And Principal Winnie McCandless says the addition is crucial for the school to try and meet the class size amendment.

More Information

But McCandless says they'll have a tough time getting classes as small as Florida's constitution mandates.

"We do not have enough space," McCandless said. "We simply do not have enough space."

Another resolution in the House could change the class-size rules altogether, putting the issue back on the ballot. Voters would have to decide whether class sizes could be forever calculated by the school average. That's the way it's done now.

If nothing changes, some estimate the class size amendment could cost the state a billion dollars.

The Hillsborough School District is meeting classroom size rules now. But the superintendent says she may have to take money from other programs to meet the stricter class-size guidelines for next school year.