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•585 capacity school; Morris Grove created only 323 new seats when class size reductions <br /> went into effect upon school's completion. <br /> •When assuming typical growth rates, new schools usually accommodate 4-5 years of growth. <br /> 2009 Legislative Attempt to <br /> Increase Class Sizes <br /> Although bills (HB 443 and SB 741) to increase class sizes were introduced this year to <br /> attempt to address State budget issues, the bills were not voted out of Committee. <br /> Class sizes have not been changed. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made reference to the change in kindergarten eligibility and Neil <br /> Pedersen's memo and asked how the difference is taken into account. <br /> Craig Benedict said that by next year it will be back on the 12-month correction period, <br /> but this year is an aberration with the numbers down. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Mike Kelly said that the original projection was 2010 for Elementary#11. He said that <br /> the State Board of Education still has the requirements in place that K-3 reduce class sizes. <br /> He said that the estimate is that the school will need to come online in 2012, and discussions <br /> need to take place between the CHCCS Board and the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that during the spring capital considerations, the CHCCS <br /> brought up a list of potential capital projects and two were additions to elementary schools. He <br /> asked if these additions could be moved ahead and Elementary School #11 could be pushed <br /> out a couple of years to save some money. <br /> Mike Kelly said that this may have been a list of shovel-ready projects. He said that <br /> two of their elementary schools are projected to increase by six classrooms per school and this <br /> would not meet the needs for 5-6 years out. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked for some additional information because this could be a <br /> viable alternative. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford pointed out that when schools get too crowded, it is not just the <br /> classrooms that are stressed, but also the gyms, cafeterias, media centers, etc. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that this needs to be done during the budget process. He <br /> said that the County's debt policy does not set a cap and it has been since 1998 since this <br /> debt policy was adopted. He wants to revisit the policy. Also, he strongly believes that the <br /> County Commissioners need to revisit the SAPFO because it does not address the real issue. <br /> Sometimes the County is not able to pay for new schools and units that have not even been <br /> built yet are being counted. He would like to see some type of discussion on how to look at <br /> this in a straightforward way and try to figure out how this can work out. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that Elementary School #11 is needed in 2012 and that <br /> should be the goal. She made reference to the SAPFO and said that this is the real test of the <br /> SAPFO. <br /> Commissioner Nelson agreed with Commissioner Gordon that the goal should be <br /> 2012 for Elementary School #11. He said that the economic conditions may affect this but this <br /> is the first real test of SAPFO. <br />