The Cupertino Courier

State Þnds more cash for smaller class sizes

By Katherine Petersen

The Cupertino Union School District anticipates having more money than previously expected to spend on creating smaller classes.

The district, which in the past had not qualified for funding for classroom space, got the good news that this year it would be eligible for nearly $1.5 million to pay for additional facilities.

"We're delighted that a recent change in legislation will give us facilities funding for class-size reduction," said Robyn Phillips, assistant superintendent of fiscal services. "It certainly helps in finding dollars to pay for whatever solution we look at."

To have a 20-to-1 ratio for kindergarten through third-grade classes, Phillips said, the district will need 53 classrooms by next September. An additional 10 spaces for classes will be necessary for enrollment growth, she added.

A facilities advisory committee will still report to the board Nov. 18 on options for creating space for class-size reduction. Those options include opening a new school site, purchasing portable classrooms and year-round schooling.

The recent legislation does not impact the $3.7 million the district will receive to pay the salaries of the new teachers who will need to be hired to accommodate smaller class sizes.

The district will also get an increase in per-student funding of about $3.6 million this year, Phillips said. Half of this money is one-time funding. The remaining $1.8 million, which breaks down to $120 per student, will be an ongoing increase.

The board has designated the one-time portion to go toward the cost of creating more classroom space.

A public hearing, required by Gov. Pete Wilson, will be held at the Nov. 18 meeting for people to give input on how the $3.6 million should be spent.

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