Bill > H0319

This bill modifies how school districts are penalized if their class sizes exceed the maximum allowed, specifically by changing the calculation for the reduction in their "class size categorical allocation," which is funding designated for managing class sizes. Instead of calculating the penalty based on individual classes that are over the limit, the bill proposes to calculate the number of "FTE students" (Full-Time Equivalent students, a way to measure student enrollment) exceeding the maximum at the "school average" for each grade group. This means the penalty will be determined by the average number of students per class across the entire school, rather than focusing solely on the largest classes. The bill also adjusts the formula for calculating the penalty amount, particularly for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and beyond, by using a specific percentage of the "base student allocation" (the fundamental amount of state funding per student) adjusted by the "district cost differential" (a factor that accounts for varying costs of education across different districts). Ultimately, the district's funding allocation will be reduced by the sum of these new calculations, aiming to adjust how financial accountability is applied when maximum class size requirements are not met.