Florida’s class size amendment dates back to 2002, when it was added to the state’s Constitution. According to Ms. Nery Fins, assistant principal for curriculum, this amendment requires that all the core classes such as English, math, science, social studies, world languages, Reading and ESOL be kept at no more than 18 students in pre-K through third grade, 22 students in grades four through eight and 25 students in grades nine through 12. The amendment originally required the legislature to foot this bill and not the local schools, but the legislature is only sending a fraction of what is required, $8 million to Broward, which does not meet the needed amount to pay for this new law (cbs4.com). The state has already spent $20 billion to execute the 2002 class-size amendment (Miami Herald).

                    “The promise behind it was for kids to learn better. It’s more effective with smaller classes,” said Connie Navarro, principal.

                    The state will be making their official count the week of Oct. 15; any district that fails to meet the requirements will be facing a fine of $3,800 for every pupil over the limit number of students per classroom. (msnbc.com) It's the first of three major education bills under consideration in the Florida House. Another bill seeks to expand a private school voucher program; and the final bill is the hotly contested merit pay teacher bill (cbs4.com).                             

                    Broward and Miami-Dade are nowhere near the necessary amount of money that is needed to hire enough teachers. The Broward School Board voted on September 16 towards a property tax increase in order to pay for the class size amendment; 25 cents will be added per $1,000 of assessed value to the property tax bill of each homeowner. (msnbc.com) In contrast Miami-Dade’s School Board has opted against raising its tax bill.                                                                                                                                               Some schools are short of teachers and have had to put physical education coaches and library assistants into classrooms. Some overcrowded schools have been forced to tell parents that they must use school choice to enroll their children elsewhere. (miamiherald.com) Miami-Dade was able to hire 500 teachers with federal stimulus money, but those dollars will run out after next year which could become an issue. (msnbc.com)                                                                                                                                 Varela has hired five new teachers according to Fins and we do not yet have floating teachers (teachers who do not have a permanent classroom).

                    Because classroom spots are “limited” some students have been enrolled in virtual classes to relieve the tension; about 240 students are taking virtual classes in Varela.

                    Some classes have been affected to the point where they are no longer being offered.

                    “I’ve had to close some AP classes because I didn’t have 25 kids in it,” said Navarro.

                    Many students have had several schedule changes in order to meet the 25 student rule. Varela itself is trying to figure out where to move students who exceed the limit without ruining their schedule in the process, especially when some classes are only offered once. So far our school has done 300-400 schedule changes and is looking to make many more.

                    “I can’t be in French 2 this year, so I have to take it next year even though it was my second pick which is ridiculous,” said junior Vanessa Sanchez.

                    “The vote is coming again in November and I’m hoping that by then voters will understand that it is not so easy to say it’s a great idea, because of what you are sacrificing,” said Navarro.