CLASS SIZE REDUCTION

In light of the severe budget crisis in California, Class Size Reeducation was only rescued through great compromise in Sacramento. The recognition that the plan has high costs and that, without flexibility, may be discontinued by many districts caused the state to increase flexibility.

Among the changes: Class sizes for grade levels may differ. It is possible to have classes of 20:1 in grade 1, but have 25:1 in grade 3. Numbers will be monitored across the district and not at a particular site.

Penalties have been reduced, and are now on a sliding scale:

Class Size District Average Per Grade:

Up to 20.44................. No Penalty

20.44 to 21.44 ...........5% Penalty

21.45 to 22.44 ...........10% Penalty

22.45 to 22.94 ...........15% Penalty

22.95 to 24.94 ...........20% Penalty

24.95 or more ........... 30% Penalty

 

ED FUNDING IN CROSSHAIRS IN MAY 19 ELECTION

(2/24) The special election to be held on May 19 places the following issues on the budget. There will be much more information and the effects each measure will have in the weeks ahead. Of the six ballot measures, five will have an impact on educational funding either directly or indirectly.

Education: Voters will be asked to modify Proposition 98, the voter-approved minimum school funding guarantee, to protect education funding when state revenue rebounds after lean budget years. In effect, this would reduce the guaranteed minimum funding for schools.

Spending cap: Asks voters to impose a limit on the amount the state can spend each year based on revenue growth over the previous 10-year period. Money above that amount would be saved in a rainy day fund. California will soon rank 50th in per pupil spending and it never rains in California.

Mental health: Asks voters to shift $227 million in voter-approved funding from Proposition 63, the state mental health fund, for two years to pay for a low-income child development program known as the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program.

Child development: Asks voters to redirect $608 million in First 5 money for early child development to other children's programs for five years. Other programs have not yet been defined.

Lottery: Asks voters for permission to stop using lottery proceeds for education programs. Instead, school funding would be paid through the general fund.

Legislative pay: Asks voters to amend the Constitution to freeze the pay of lawmakers and state elected officers during years the state is running a deficit.