FISCAL NOTE
FUND(S):
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Neither Program nor Fund
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to set the maximum pupil to teacher ratio in grades six through twelve of public school classrooms at thirty to one.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
18,445,231 |
18,445,231 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
18,445,231 |
18,445,231 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The change in the teacher-pupil ratios will not result in increased costs to the State, as WVC 18-5-18a indicates that all additional compensation for exceeding the maximum ratios is paid exclusively from county funds. Further, this bill does not increase the limits under the Public School Support Program. The estimated 2014-15 cost to the county boards of education is $18,445,231 The cost estimate includes increased salary, fringe benefits, retirement and PEIA costs.
The county boards of education will incur additional teacher costs due to the class size limit of 30 students for grades 6 through 12. Based on class size data for those grade levels for the 2013-14 school year, it is estimated that the county boards of education will need to hire an additional 310 teachers in order to be in compliance with a class size limit of 30 with no exceptions. The estimated cost for those additional teachers is $19,373,387, which includes salary, fixed charges, retirement and PEIA costs.
The additional costs due to the class size limit of 30 students for grades 6 through 12 is partially offset by cost savings related to sixth grade. Currently, sixth grade classrooms are limited to 25 students with up to 3 additional students permitted, with additional compensation per student for the teacher in classrooms with the additional students. Raising the limit to 30 students will reduce the amount that county boards are currently paying sixth grade teachers with 26, 27, or 28 students. The estimated cost savings for the county boards of education related to the increase in the class room size for sixth grade is $928,156, which includes salary, fixed charges and retirement.
The estimated net cost to the county boards of education for the proposed changes is $18,445,231.
Memorandum
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Brenda Freed
Email Address: bfreed@access.k12.wv.us