While Florida class size requirements are universal, local school districts are taking a different approach to meeting the law.
In Okaloosa County, officials are confident they’ll be in compliance. Walton County officials aren’t certain if they’ll make it but are trying, and Santa Rosa County leaders say they won’t.
“We just don’t believe it prudent that we move students … and reconstitute classrooms … just to meet class size,” Santa Rosa Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said.
This year will mark the fourth time the district hasn’t met the requirements of the constitutional amendment, which permits only up to 18 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade classes, 22 students in grades four through eight and 25 in core classes at the high school level.
Wyrosdick said he understands the importance of following the law, but it is hard to justify moving students after seven weeks of school when classes are exceed the limit only by a few students.
School districts that do not meet the class size law face fines.
Walton County, which met class size requirements last year, is struggling a little with the increase in enrollment.
“(It’s) close, but we’re not sure,” Superintendent Carlene Anderson said. “It’s going to be tough this year.”
Okaloosa met the requirements last year, and the School Board has instructed the district’s staff to comply with the law once again.
“This board has been very clear that we’re going to meet class size,” board member Cindy Frakes said during a meeting Monday evening.
In a brief presentation, Marcus Chambers, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, told the board that as of Monday 14 schools were in compliance and the staff was monitoring the rest closely. At the same time last year, only nine schools were within the class size limits.
The goal is to have every school perfect by next Friday so officials have plenty of time to correct any issues before the compliance deadline Oct. 18.
“We feel good in terms of where we are in our progress towards class size,” Chambers said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.