FISCAL NOTE, 82nd LEGISLATURE 1st CALLED SESSION - 2011
June 2, 2011
TO:
Honorable Rob Eissler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB18 by Eissler (Relating to elementary class size limits in public schools.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the commissioner of education to grant class size waivers upon application by a school district unless the waiver would allow a district to enroll more than 25 students in a class in grade levels K-4, result in the district exceeding a district-wide average of 22 students for those classrooms, or negatively affect students' education as determined by the commissioner.
Local Government Impact
Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, the bill would provide for mandatory approval of district class size waiver requests unless the waiver would allow a district to enroll more than 25 students in a class in grade levels K-4, result in the district exceeding a district-wide average of 22 students for those classrooms, or negatively affect students' education as determined by the commissioner. The bill would also allow a school district to satisfy local class size waiver notification requirements by means of a district website posting. The level of savings realized by individual districts under this provision would be expected to vary widely depending upon the district's current class size for those grade levels, waiver status, and local financial conditions.