Presented at the School Board meeting on October 12, 2011.

1. Class Size Waiver
Devin Vodicka, EdD
October 12, 2011

2.  E.C. 41376 and 41378 place the following
restrictions on maximum class sizes:
◦ Grades 4-8—current fiscal year average number of
pupils per teacher not to exceed the greater of the
statewide average number of pupils per teacher in
1964 (29.9) or the district's average number of
pupils per teacher in 1964
 Note: Carlsbad average was 31.1 in 1964
◦ Kindergarten—average class size not to exceed 31
students; no classes larger than 33 students
◦ Grades 1-3—average class size not to exceed 30
students; no classes larger than 32 students
Background

3.  If these limits are exceeded, E.C.
41376(c) et al. and 41378(e) require the
Superintendent of Public Instruction to
reduce the district's revenue limit
apportionment for each student over the
limit.
 In short, this means that the penalty for
exceeding the limit is a loss in all revenue
limit funding for each student over the
limit.
Financial Penalties

4.  Consultation with bargaining units
 Public hearing at a properly noticed board
meeting at which time the public may
testify on the waiver proposal
 Input from School Site Councils
 Specific citations of Education Code to be
waived
 Desired outcomes and/or rationale
 Demographic information
Required Steps in Process

5.  Carlsbad Unified School District is
projecting a fiscal deficit of approximately
$11 million in 2012-13.
 We are pursuing every opportunity to
explore options to reduce the projected
deficit and to maintain fiscal stability.
Current Reality

6.  We currently continue to implement the
Class-Size Reduction program in
kindergarten using Option 2.
 As of September 29, 2011 class size
averages were as follows:
◦ Kindergarten: 30.59
◦ Grade 1: 30.04
◦ Grade 2: 30.94
◦ Grade 3: 31.64
◦ Grades 4-8: 28.82
Current Class Sizes

7.  The current averages in grades 1-3 exceed
the Education Code maximum averages.
 We do not have specific plans for a potential
increase in 2012-13 and yet we know that
expenditures will need to be reduced
significantly.
 Given this current reality, projected fiscal
deficit, and potential financial penalties, the
pursuit of the Class Size Waiver seems a
prudent protective measure.
Summary

8.  Approval of the Class Size Waiver by the
Governing Board is no guarantee that the
request will be supported by the State Board
of Education.
 Additionally, increases to class size may also
require revisions of existing contract
language with bargaining units.
 If the Waiver is granted it would provide
Carlsbad Unified School District with staffing
flexibility and the potential to reduce
expenditures.
Next Steps

9.  It is respectfully recommended that the
Board of Trustees adopt Resolution No.
13-1112, Application of Waivers to
California State Board of Education on
Class Size Cap Penalties as presented.
Recommendation