The Senate Education Committee gave unanimous support to Senate Bill 32, an interim-committee bill that would re-target the state’s class-size reduction funding toward earlier grades.

Senator Fillmore, presenting the bill, said the original class-size reduction program—created roughly two decades ago—has functioned largely as a maintenance fund and has not materially reduced class sizes statewide. The proposed changes would concentrate the same funding on kindergarten through sixth grade initially, then phase concentration toward grades K–3 over time to prioritize literacy and numeracy in the earliest grades.

Nut graf: Sponsors said the change aims to focus limited dollars where research and experience show smaller classes most strongly benefit learning—early literacy and numeracy instruction—while preserving LEA flexibility about how to allocate funds in local contexts.

Julie Jackson of JLC told the committee that most of the state’s class-size funding already goes to K–3 and that districts value flexibility to use remaining funds to address local enrollment spikes (for example, very large classes in upper elementary grades). The presenter said the bill does not impose a rigid staffing formula and that districts retain discretion to apply funds in ways that meet local instructional needs.

The committee voted to send Senate Bill 32 with a favorable recommendation to the full Senate by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: The bill will be scheduled for Senate floor consideration.