After a tense debate heavy with consequences for school system, the Senate passed a state constitutional amendment that would loosen class-size restrictions.
Senate Joint Resolution 2, sponsored mainly by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, passed the Senate 26-10. The vote closely followed party lines and the debate largely followed party arguments, with one notable exception that left the chamber pregnant with anticipation.
As a constitutional amendment, the proposal needed to pass the chamber by a 60 percent majority. It is now headed to the House, where it will also need to pass with a 60 percent majority before being added to the November ballot for consideration by voters.
The bill, which amends state class-size requirements passed in 2002, allows schools to calculate class sizes at a schoolwide average, instead of on a class-by-class basis.
The 2002 constitutional amendment approved by voters required that class sizes from pre-kindergarten through third grade could have no more than 18 students; fourth-grade through eighth-grade classrooms could have no more than 22 students; and ninth grade through 12th grade could have no more than 25 students.
The 2002 amendment calls for class sizes to be calculated at the classroom level, as opposed to the schoolwide average as they are now, starting in the fall.
Gaetzs amendment (SJR 2) requires that schools continue to calculate class size on a schoolwide average.
It would stipulate that no more than 21 students be assigned to pre-kindergarten to third-grade classrooms; no more than 27 students be assigned to fourth through eighth-grade classrooms; and no more than 30 be assigned to high school classrooms.
Republicans rallied around the chorus that the amendment gave local officials more flexibility in managing classsrooms and resources.
Thats all theyre asking for, said Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville. Give us the flexibility.
Gaetz said the amendment would not change the gains of the last eight years. It simply freezes the class sizes at the school-wide level and institutes less Slavish devotion to an expectation that might be restrictive and costly.
Democrats argued that the voters have spoken and the constitution is already at least a little flexible. Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, told the chamber that there was no need for a constitutional change. Senators could achieve just as much with a statutory amendment.
In a speech that drew all the senators attention upon him, Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, told the chamber that he opposed the bill and that he encouraged them to do the same. he told them that constituents were of the opinion that they were only acting for themselves, and that by opposing they would show that they would respect the will of the voters.
I really believe that we have no higher calling than to do what is best for our kid, he said
Villalobose was the only Republican to vote against the bi;ll. Afterward, he said that his comments were directed at no party in particular.
It was directed to anybody trying to overturn the will of the people, he said.
