Hillsborough County Public Schools Administration
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

To provide an update regarding the challenges of implementing the Class Size Amendment for the 2008-2009 school year.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2002 the citizens passed an amendment to the Florida Constitution that placed caps on the size of public school classes. Subsequently, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to implement the constitutional amendment. The implementing bill phased in the constitutional requirement in several stages leading up to the 2010-2011 school year constitutional deadlines.

During the 2008-2009 school year the implementing bill requires school districts to implement the class size caps on a class-by-class basis. There are many serious logistical problems associated with this implementation. I have been working with my staff to identify potential problems to be solved when we implement the class size caps. We have framed some of the issues, identified as a series of questions (attached). These questions do not identify all the problems that may be encountered.

Because the implementation of class caps will have major impacts across the entire community, I would like to create a process that will provide for broad involvement in all segments of the community. I am recommending that we create a Class Caps Community Taskforce. I would like to include representation from the stakeholders listed below:

  1. Classroom teachers appointed by the Classroom Teachers Association
  2. Elementary, middle, high and charter school principals
  3. General Director of Secondary Education and other Instructional General Directors as appropriate
  4. General Manager of Transportation (John Franklin)
  5. Manager of Budget (Susan Garcia)
  6. Director of Title I (Jeff Eakins)
  7. Information Technology Division Representative (Kathy Riek)
  8. Representative from the External Communications Office
  9. Students (particularly high school students)
  10. Parents, including parents who have used school choice forms
  11. Representatives from the Citizens Advisory Committee
  12. Representatives from the P.T.A. County Council
  13. Representatives from the Media
  14. Representatives from the Board of Realtors
  15. Representatives from the development community
  16. Representatives from the Board of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  17. Representatives from other chambers as appropriate
  18. Any other stakeholder group the Board or Superintendent wishes to include.

The attached questions will be the initial agenda for the task force.

I would suggest the following process for developing recommendation to the Board.

  1. The School Board reviews issues and provides input at a workshop
  2. Task Force members are appointed. The Task Force will meet to review the list of questions, issues, problems, and add recommendations identified by the group.
  3. The Task Force receives technical assistance and input from representatives of the Divisions of Administration, Business, Facilities, Information and Technology, Curriculum and Instructions, Student Services and Federal Programs and Office of External Communications.
  4. The Task Force prepares recommendations for the Superintendent to be taken to the Board.
  5. The Board acts on the Superintendent’s recommendations.
  6. The Superintendent implements the Board’s decisions and provides continuous information to the public.
This committee will be chaired by the Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Administration. Each division shall have representation at all meetings.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Cost of salary for participating staff.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY:

Lewis A. Brinson
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
813-272-4070
Kenneth Otero
Deputy Superintendent
813-272-4101
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071211_309 * Section W Item# 2