O.C. Districts Seek More State Funds to Cut Class Size

The state’s popular program to reduce class size in primary grades is being implemented at virtually all California elementary schools, and Orange County districts are among the most active in taking advantage of it, according to data released Thursday.

Of Orange County’s 24 elementary and unified school districts, all signed on when the program started last year, and all are requesting more money from the state this year to continue and expand their participation.

Across the state, about 98% of school districts have capped classes this year at 20 students for each teacher in kindergarten through third grade. That nearly doubles last year’s statewide participation rate of 51%.

Gov. Pete Wilson proposed the class-size initiative two years ago. It took effect in June 1997.

Orange County districts have applied for a total of $89,885,600 for the current school year, absorbing the third-largest share of the $1.2 billion available in 1997-98 for smaller class sizes.

Santa Ana Unified, the county’s largest school district, has nearly tripled the amount of money budgeted this year to cut class sizes in all first- and second-grade classes, and in some kindergarten and third-grade classes. The 52,000-student district hopes to receive nearly $11 million in state class-size funds by July.

“It’s an expensive program,” Supt. Al Mijares said. “But we’re going to see a lot of fruits as a result of this program. Teachers are already feeling far more empowered and effective with smaller class sizes.”

Under the program, the state reimburses schools $800 a year for each pupil in classes that have 20 or fewer students. Another option allows schools to receive $400 for each pupil in classes reduced for half the day.

The money can be used to pay teachers’ salaries and other operational expenses.

Despite the program’s popularity, schools have faced two obstacles: finding enough qualified new teachers and carving out additional classroom space.

Education officials estimate that the state now needs more than 18,600 additional teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade.

To alleviate the space crunch, Wilson has proposed a $500 million school bond initiative.

State Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin has promised that the state will continue to provide funding for class-size reduction.

“Our next priority is to help school districts finish the job of implementing class-size reduction in four grades,” Eastin said in a statement Thursday.

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Sizable Increases

Orange County school districts have applied for nearly $90 million to fund class-size reductions this year, more than double the amount they received last year. Here’s the comparison, with all districts anticipating an increase:

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District 1997 1998 Anaheim Elementary $3,144,375 $5,689,600 Brea-Olinda Unified 284,050 994,400 Buena Park Elementary 464,100 1,400,400 Capistrano Unified 4,986,800 9,480,400 Centralia Elementary 851,500 1,985,200 Cypress Elementary 814,450 1,864,800 Fountain Valley Elementary 859,950 1,781,200 Fullerton Elementary 994,500 2,891,600 Garden Grove Unified 2,712,450 6,485,600 Huntington Beach City 490,750 1,724,200 Irvine Unified 2,588,950 4,594,500 La Habra City Elementary 1,103,050 1,440,000 Laguna Beach Unified 331,500 499,200 Los Alamitos Unified 1,139,450 1,863,200 Magnolia Unified 956,800 2,236,000 Newport-Mesa Unified 2,743,000 4,641,200 Ocean View Elementary 2,067,000 3,594,400 Orange Unified 1,739,725 5,128,800 Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified 2,328,300 4,591,200 Saddleback Valley Unified 5,327,725 8,586,400 Santa Ana Unified 3,694,600 10,848,000 Savanna Elementary 192,725 596,000 Tustin Unified 2,414,100 3,541,600 Westminster Elementary 1,885,325 3,428,000 Totals $44,115,175 $89,885,600

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Source: California State Department of Education