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SALT LAKE CITY — A bill aimed at cutting down on overcrowded classrooms for kindergarten through third grade is moving forward, but Utahns should not expect a cap on class sizes just yet.
A cap on classroom size in early education is the direction the substitute version of HB318 could take the state within the next year, though, and that substitute bill passed out of the House Education Standing Committee on Tuesday.
If the bill is passed into law, during the 2014-2015 school year all school districts would be required to track the money they are currently getting for classroom reduction for early education, which includes kindergarten through third grade.
Statewide, there is $108 million distributed, but it's not being tracked dollar for dollar. Once that data is collected, it will be analyzed to see which communities are having the most growth and need for classroom reduction. Districts will then have to propose a plan for the following year on how they would reduce class sizes even more, before they get any additional funding.
"This will be the first time since 1993, when class size reduction was put into place as part of the basic school program, where we will have actual data to use to go forward on police decisions we make, as well as appropriations discussions," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake.
Estimated funding for class size reduction for K-3 could reach upwards of $38.4 million by 2017, so knowing where the money is going is critical. On Tuesday, several people spoke in support of making reductions a reality, including Patti Herrington, the Executive Director for the Utah Superintendents Association.
"Class sizes are a big issue in the state of Utah, and most parents see that as the No. 1 or 2 issue that keeps their children from having the education they would like," Herrington said. "(It) especially keeps their children from having the education they would like and especially keeps their children from having an individual experience because of how many kids are in the classroom."
In the original bill, it was proposed that kindergarten classes be capped at 20 students, first and second grade at 22 students, and third grade at 24 students. The bill's sponsor said she hopes to revisit those caps when the data are collected next year, but Tuesday's action lets parents know congressional leaders are serious about doing something about this issue.
