School Districts Get Class-Size Fines Reduced, Still Face $31.3 Million Hit

The State Board of Education set out $31.3 million in fines for public schools and another $355,000 for charter schools Tuesday for exceeding Florida's class-size limits, but the fines could have been much higher.

Original penalties were set at about $40.8 million for public schools and $2.3 million for charter schools, but were reduced after 25 of the 35 school districts found in violation of the class-size caps appealed their fines. Some districts had their fines reduced due to unexpected student growth, and nine counties -- Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Madison, Okeechobee, Orange, Walton and Washington -- had their fines eliminated altogether.

The Palm Beach County School District will bear the brunt of the fines, as it was assessed with a $15.8 million bill, more than half of the total fines issued to public schools.

As much as 25 percent of the money will be redistributed to schools in compliance with the class-size limits, with the rest funneled to districts that submit a plan before Feb. 15, outlining their strategy for compliance with the caps by October 2011.