Class Size Law

[meggiemom]

I was reading the Daily News and noted that Walton Schools are not in compliance with the
class size law. Maybe our school system is a little top heavy.

 

[Matt J]

The class size law was controversial when it passed and remains a point of contention to this day. It was passed under the theory that by having a law school districts would have no other choice but to comply. Very few counties in Florida are in compliance and it's become about as enforceable as the no driving while barefoot law.

Here's some more information:

http://www.fldoe.org/classsize/

 

[Bob Wells]

It was actually an amendment to the constitution that passed by greater than 60%. The legislature has been monkeying with it since it passed trying to change the intent of the voters. But that really is the way the legislature seems to operate. They get a lottery in Florida that was to supplement the schools but the legislature started to reduce the money to the schools almost immediately and now the state require school districts to raise taxes.

 

[j p nettles]

The class size amendment was passed in 2002. It became "controversial" after the financial meltdown and all that tax money dried up. The Don's (Gaetz) amendment to amend the class size amendment failed. School districts failed to plan for a recession and the fall in property values . Also, I believe that Okaloosa County is in compliance. It's the law. So an effort should be made to comply with it. There's plenty of waste at the top that could be cut.

 

[Matt J]

The primary reason it was controversial, despite passing, was that forward thinking people saw the possible mess of a recession. The amendment gave no leeway for that.

 

[j p nettles]

The primary reason it was controversial, despite passing, was that forward thinking people saw the possible mess of a recession. The amendment gave no leeway for that.

Who exactly are these "forward thinking people" and why did they wait so long to try to do away with it?

 

[Andy A]

These "forward thinking people" do not realize the problem is not class size. It is class disipline and individual parenting.

 

[tsutcli]

It was another give-away to the unions so that they could have more members, power and money. All public sector unions should be banned or strictly restricted in their incestuous relationships with politicians - especially local pols.

 

[j p nettles]

It's really kind of funny that some people advocate selective enforcement of laws. I recall during the last campaign, Carlene Anderson's opponent didn't have some stupid disclaimer on her signs that you couldn't read anyway and someone whined about her breaking the election laws, yet Anderson's cheerleaders and lapdogs are OK with the school district violating laws. And I recall at a school board meeting, Mark Davis mentioned that it would be more cost effective to pay the fine than to comply with the class size law. I don't like some of the stupid traffic laws but I do my best to obey them.

 

[Bob Wells]

That was pretty moronic statement.... it takes 60% of folks who vote to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida so all us Union Folks voted for it, where'd the other votes come from.