LENOIR, NC (February 9, 2018)…Because educators and legislators are working together in addressing concerns on class size requirements in grades K-3, North Carolina lawmakers unveiled House Bill 90 this week that proposes a phase-in process for class size and full funding for enhancement teachers.
Phase In Class Size Requirements and Additional Funds for Enhancement Teachers…
“We have been working towards this resolve,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Stone, “and we are pleased that these new changes provide a reasonable timeline for reducing class sizes in grades kindergarten through third grade without threatening other areas of instruction critical to students’ education. This new Bill ensures adequate funding and support for teaching positions in art, music, physical education and world languages.”
House Bill 90, which is an omnibus education bill that limits debate and scrutiny, includes several education issues and is currently in the General Assembly special session that convened this week.
The items most closely aligned with educators in Caldwell County include class reduction phase-in, program enhancement for teachers, and funding for NC Pre-K.
House Bill 90 provides a four-year phase-in to reach K-3 class size caps that otherwise would have taken effect for the 2018-19 school year. Below is the phase-in implementation timeline:
K-3 Class Size Reduction Phase-In
District Average Individual Maximum
2017-18: 1:20 (K-3) 1:23 (K-3)
2018-19: 1:20 (K-3) 1:23 (K-3)
2019-20: 1:19 (K-3) 1:22 (K-3)
2020-21: 1:18 (K-3) 1:21 (K-3)
2021-22: 1:18 (K) 1:21 (K)
1:16 (Grade 1) 1:19 (Grade 1)
1:17 (Grades 2-3) 1:17 (Grades 2-3)
The Bill also establishes a new allotment of $61.4 million beginning in the 2018-2019 school year to fund enhancement teachers in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. The allotment will be a four-year phase-in with funds increasing each year based on a 1:191 teacher/student ratio.
Additionally, House Bill 90 increases NC Pre-K funding by $9.35 million each year for the next four years. The legislative staff summary says that these appropriations should be enough to eliminate the NC Pre-K waitlist by 2020-21. Total funding in the coming years will be as follows:
2017-18: $69.6 million
2018-19: $72.7 million
2019-20: $82 million
2020-21: $91.35 million
House Bill 90 is gaining full legislative support and if the rate of momentum continues, it will soon become law after the signature of Governor Roy Cooper.