1994 SESSION 3673B
94-2277
04/02
HOUSE BILL
AN ACT establishing maximum class sizes as currently specified in rules of the state board of education.
SPONSORS: Rep. A. Pelletier, Straf 12
COMMITTEE: Education
ANALYSIS
This bill statutorily provides the same criteria for class size as is specified in administrative rule Ed 306.16 of the state department of education.
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EXPLANATION: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears in [brackets].
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
3673B
94-2277
04/02
HB 1218-FN-LOCAL
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the year of Our Lord
One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Four
AN ACT
establishing maximum class sizes as currently specified in rules of
the state board of education.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Class Size Specified. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 15-a the following new section:
189:15-b Class Size. In each school, class size for instructional purposes shall be 25 students or less in grades K-2 and 30 students or less in grades 3-12. These class size requirements may be exceeded for study halls; band and chorus; large group instruction, including lectures, combined group instruction, and use of educational television and films; and similar methods. In the interest of safety, the maximum number of students in laboratory classes in such areas as science and vocational education shall be determined by the number of work stations and the size and design of the area. In no case shall the number of students in laboratory classes exceed 24.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 1995.
LBAO
LSR 94-2277
11/2/93
FISCAL NOTE for an act establishing maximum class sizes as currently specified in rules of the state board of education.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Education has determined that this bill will increase state expenditures by $93,240 in FY 1996 and each year thereafter. Local expenditures will increase by $3,364,860 in FY 1996, by $3,533,103 in FY 1997 and by $3,709,758 in FY 1998. There will be no impact on state, county and local revenues or on county expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department states this bill inserts into RSAs a current rule on classroom size. The Department assumes that this rule becoming permanent law eliminates the conditional approval status. Therefore, requiring all districts to meet the classroom size standard as contained in this bill. The Department further assumes that currently 5% of all public schools do not meet the class size standard. The Department assumes 5% of all public schools will not meet the proposed class size. In each of these schools, an average of three classes will exceed the limit. Seventy five additional teachers will be required, and salaries plus benefits will average $43,000 by 1996. Each of the 75 teachers will require a classroom and the average cost of a standard classroom including furnishings is $63,000. The state is responsible for a share of the cost at an average rate of 40%. Bonds for construction are generally 10 year notes. The Department has assumed a 5% annual teacher increase and bond interest rate. All schools affected are not at maximum space utilization, assuming 50% need new rooms.
$43,000 x 75 = $3,225,000 teacher cost
$63,000 x 37 = $2,331,000 construction cost
$2,331,000 x .40 = $932,400 state share
$1,398,600 local share
$1,398,600 / 10 = $139,860 ( annual local payment)
$932,400 / 10 = $93,240 (annual state payment)
FY 1996 local cost:
$3,225,000 teacher cost
139,860 bond cost
$3,364,860