Full Funding Sought for Smaller Classes

They said it was probably a shot in the dark, but Conejo Valley school trustees aimed and fired nonetheless.

Hoping to convince the governor and the Legislature to see the class size reduction initiative from a school district’s point of view, trustees Thursday unanimously approved a strongly worded resolution asking for full funding of the immensely popular program.

“I think it’s time to tell the state of California that if this wonderful program is so wonderful, you pay, and let us go on with our business,” said trustee Richard Newman.

This year, the state is using $771 million to reimburse school districts for every primary grade student enrolled in a class of 20 or fewer. Under the program, schools can pare classes in first and second grades, then choose to do so in either kindergartens or third grades. A $650-per-student state allotment covers part--but not all--of the expense of new teacher salaries and materials.

Gov. Pete Wilson on Thursday proposed setting aside another $488 million in his budget for the next fiscal year to expand class size reduction. Offering $666 per student, Wilson’s proposal would allow school districts to shrink grades one through three and then choose either kindergartens or fourth grades.

The full cost of teachers’ salaries and materials for the initiative is much higher, trustees said. Shrinking classes in grades one through three, the Conejo Valley Unified School District alone has spent about $3 million on salaries, materials and facilities.

The trustees’ counteroffer: Pay the full $800 per student for the smaller version of class size reduction before adding more grades. Trustee Mildred Lynch decried Wilson’s proposal as political gamesmanship.

“Where did all of this money come from all of a sudden that Wilson is throwing around?” she asked. “And will it be there next year? Don’t trust them.”

Now that the Thousand Oaks resolution has passed, school Supt. Jerry Gross will petition all the school districts in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties to follow suit.