The attention to Florida's education system seems to peak during election years. On November 5, voters will be asked to decide if an amendment limiting the class sizes in Florida's public schools should be added to our constitution. Amendment 9 limits the average class size in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade to 18 students, grades four through eight at 22, and grades nine through 12 at 25 students.

This proposed amendment should generate many questions for taxpayers. Most importantly, will this amendment actually reduce class size? The amendment addresses average class sizes, not actual class sizes. Average class sizes are calculated by taking the total number of students divided by the total number of teachers in the school. Given these criteria, special needs students' (ESE) classes may contain ten students while a regular education class contains 40 students. Using this scenario, dividing the 50 students in those two classes by the two teachers indicates an average class size of 25 students. The reality of that situation is much more dire. Teachers and students in the classroom of 40 children would receive no relief from their large class under this amendment. Schools are required to offer ESE classes regardless of how few students are enrolled in them. If the amendment dealt with actual class sizes or ESE students and teachers were eliminated from the average class size calculation, the goal of reducing actual class size may be achieved. However, large classes will persist as flawed calculations are continued.

If smaller class sizes can be achieved, does that guarantee the desired outcome of greater student achievement? It is estimated that 32,000 additional teachers will be needed in Florida to comply with the proposed class size restrictions. The entire nation is currently experiencing a teacher shortage. Therefore, less qualified personnel may be placed in classrooms in order to observe the class size stipulations. Research indicates that students in classes of 30 under the tutelage of a competent, qualified teacher are more successful than students in classes of 20 with an under-qualified, ineffective teacher.

The cost of this proposed amendment is probably the most startling aspect of it. The cost of building the additional classrooms required to accommodate the smaller class size will exceed $9 billion. This figure does not include the annual cost of maintaining or staffing those new facilities. Additionally, in Martin County, a great deal of difficulty has been experienced in the latest efforts to select an appropriate school site for a much-needed high school. Suitable, non-wetland property located within the urban service area is limited. There are approximately twenty schools in Martin County and siting six to ten new schools at one time would be problematic at best

Estimating student enrollment is difficult in Florida. Each fall, hundreds of new students enroll in our public schools, allowing little time for effective planning for increased class sizes. If the new class size amendment is adopted, will school districts be defending themselves against regular lawsuits because students' constitutional rights were violated as the average class size in their school exceeded those outlined in the amendment? . In a rush to comply with class size requirements school districts may once again be required to rely on portable classrooms as well as converting non-instructional rooms into classrooms. These are situations the legislature is currently trying to eliminate.

Average class sizes are addressed in this amendment, but the maximum number of students attending a school is not. School capacities are calculated using the total square footage of a given facility. The calculations include such large areas as cafeterias, gymnasiums, and libraries, even though classes may not be held in them every period of the day. On paper, this formula falsely increases the capacity of schools. New schools can not be built until existing schools exceed their capacity. Existing schools must be expanded to provide a greater number of classrooms, thus increasing their square footage and capacities. In this vicious cycle of school expansions, class sizes may remain low while student enrollments soar, overcrowding buses and support facilities unless school capacities are also addressed.

Currently, in the state of Florida, property taxes are used to fund public schools. In property rich counties such as Martin, 90% of the school district funding is from local property taxes with 10% coming from the state. Those ratios differ from county to county to ensure funding equity throughout the state. On most property tax bills in Martin County, more than half of the total amount is designated for the school district. The class size amendment requires the Legislature, not local school districts, to fund this program. Funding must come in the form of additional taxes for all Floridians or extreme cuts in other services.