Minutes 04-25-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 2. Information Item —2017 Legislative Update: K-12 Education Bills • House Bills 406 and 436 Impact Fees • House Bill 13 Class Size Reductions o Others Attachment B includes an Informational item related to a Legislative Update on K-12 Education Bills. Dr. Todd Wirt said HB 13 was approved as a two-year phase in, and this is a positive movement. He said year one would have a district class size average of 20 students in grades K-3, and a class size maximum of 23. He said in year two, the class sizes would go to 16, 17, and 18. He said a funding stream is being considered for enhancement programs, such as world language, physical education, the arts, etc. Dr. Todd Wirt said there is some strong language for superintendents to insure that tax dollars are being used to keep sizes smaller, and calls for superintendents to submit regular reports on class sizes. He said the state superintendent of instruction is also permitted to perform audits. He said both school districts would have no problem in providing this information. Dr. Todd Wirt said additional funding is still needed for this school year, and hopefully there will be more of a funding stream next year. He said the HB 13 was the primary bill they have been focusing on. Dr. Pamela Baldwin said there are programs and systems in place locally to gather the type of data the State is requesting, however these existing systems may not provide an exact match for what is being requested. She said the schools are currently under a waiver due to being a part of the Project Advance pilot, but this could change at any point. She said all involved will be attentive. She said she is hopeful that the state will be helpful in phasing in HB 13, but that could change at any time. Chair Dorosin clarified that HB 13 is being pushed out a year, but the expected classroom numbers remain the same. He asked if the funding stream for specials is simply being considered, and not promised. Dr. Todd Wirt said the State's language was to provide a commitment to find a funding stream to the additional programming. He said in year one, a gradual two-year phase in would begin. He said the local school districts support and want smaller class sizes, but some of the flexibility in funding has allowed specials programming to be offered, and the Orange County community deems these important additions to the school environment. Dr. Pamela Baldwin said as this process moves forward, it will be critical to find enough teachers to allow for the small classrooms. She said teaching program enrollments are down in universities across the State. Commissioner Rich referred to HB 72, which pertains to video cameras on school buses. She asked if local school buses already have video cameras. Dr. Todd Wirt said OCS has them, but he would need to verify if they are on all of the buses. Commissioner Rich asked if this is another cost that will be passed on to the schools. Todd LoFrese said CHCCS have cameras on the inside of all of their buses. He said part of the State initiative proposed cameras on the outside of buses, to deter motorists from passing a school bus. He said he needs to check if this bill will fund those exterior cameras. Chair Dorosin asked if there was any update on the bill to repeal the ability to levy impact fees. John Roberts said HB 406 moved forward to Senate, as it was originally drafted.