Senate Passes Bill Allowing for Increase in Class Size

Before recessing until April 12^th, the Senate passed HB 908. The version of the bill which passed the Senate allows for increases in class size, using the system-averaging method. Since the House and Senate passed different versions on HB 908, the two bodies must now compromise on a final version of the bill. Though the House and Senate seem to differ regarding the method of increasing class sizes, it is very likely that the chambers will compromise and that class sizes will be increased during the 2010-2011 school year.

On April 1^st, the House passed a bill which PAGE supports, SB 206. The legislation would require state review and reporting of the effectiveness of tax deductions, tax allowances, tax exclusions, tax credits, preferential tax rates, tax exemptions, homeowner tax relief grants and local government assistance grants. The House made small changes to the Senate version of the legislation, so the two bodies must now compromise on a final version of the legislation. 

Before the legislative recess, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education met to hear from the GA DOE on 2011 state budget. GADOE was asked to cut an additional $16 million from its budget, and subcommittee members went through the state education budget, item by item, with the help of employees from GADOE. 

Lt. Gov’s Budget Task Force Recommends Merit Pay & Freezing Salary Steps

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle’s office recently released recommendations formed by a Budget Task Force convened by Cagle and Senate Republican leadership. The Budget Task Force’s recommendation for k-12 education can be found on Page 12 of the report.   http://ltgov.georgia.gov/vgn/images/portal/cit_11783501/157503072Ga%20State%20Senate%20Budget%20Task%20Force%20Final%20Report.pdf

In summary, in regard to k-12 education, recommendations include:

• Freezing automatic step increases for educators.
• Creating a merit pay program.
• Outsourcing RESA’S.
• Increasing teacher contributions to their retirement fund by 6% in FY 2011. The Task Force indicates this measure would save GA $39 million each year.
• Shifting from a defined benefit to a defined contribution retirement plan.
• Holding schools accountable for money management
• Allowing voters to approve E-SPLOST
• Utilizing the GA Virtual School and other online providers to increase course offerings. The Task Force calculates that if 1% of GA students enrolled in two online courses, the state would save $4.5 million.

If you would like to respond directly to the Lt. Governor’s office regarding these recommendations, please contact them at http://ltgov.georgia.gov/00/ltgov/contact_us/0,2688,2199618_87997337,00.html or 404-656-5030.

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