Revised Class Size Amendment Proposal

On Thursday, the Republican's, in the Florida Legislature proceeded with a proposal to correct the problems with the previously approved Constitutional Amendment for classroom size, approved by the voters in 2002. The Republican proposal (HJR447) would propose an amendment be placed on the November ballot to link class size with a mandate that local school districts spend at least 2/3's of their budget on direct classroom expenses, based on district wide averages, not individual classrooms. This proposal would also allow for c0-teaching. This co-teaching aspect, alone, would aid Hernando County in meeting the expectations of the current, class size amendment. The Florida Legislature investigation found that statewide averages of school districts have shown that less than 60% of funding is currently spend on direct classroom expenses. The Legislature is also asking in the proposal that at least 65% be spent in each district on direct classroom expenses. Proponents of this plan, in the Legislature, contend that this proposal will save the needed money for future classroom construction for school districts and for hiring additional teachers. Local school districts are concerned about the way the Legislature will determine what is actually a direct classroom expense if this "revised" amendment makes it to the ballot. Questions have been raised about transportation costs, utility bills, food expenses, air conditioning, etc. and will they be figured as direct classroom expenses. Hopefully, our local school board members will keep themselves informed on the progress of this proposal, as it moves through the Florida House this spring.