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Elia Discusses Budget Concerns

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By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

TAMPA PALMS - New Tampa families can expect more classroom wings at local schools and more budget tightening across the school district.

That's what Hillsborough County School District Superintendent MaryEllen Elia told people during her recent visit to the Rotary Club of New Tampa. Elia was invited to be one of the group's weekly speakers.

She talked about the slowing growth in New Tampa.

'We don't have any new schools scheduled for the area,' she said, 'but we do have classroom additions.'

Elia noted that in most cases, the classroom additions won't make school enrollments larger; they will help them meet the requirements of the state's class-size amendment.

Starting next school year, every classroom in the district must meet class-size restrictions. For kindergarten through third grade, the ratio is 18 students for every teacher. In fourth through eighth grades, the ratio is 22 to 1. And the core subjects in high school require a ratio of 25 students to a teacher.

'We've been preparing by building these classroom additions,' Elia said. 'You could have a situation where you might get a new kindergartner at a school where the classes all have 18 students. You would either have to hire another teacher to co-teach in a class or send that student to another school.'

Elia said that with the average teacher costing $50,000 including benefits, families trying to get into crowded schools may see more students getting shuffled to other sites because of budget issues.

But Elia acknowledged that the class-size amendment is beneficial.

'I wouldn't say it isn't a good thing,' she said. 'It's good for teachers and for students. The smaller the class, the more time students can spend with a teacher.'

Across the district, 43 classroom additions will be added to schools. In New Tampa, Hunter's Green Elementary, Bartels Middle, Benito Middle, Liberty Middle, Freedom High and Wharton High will get wings.

Elia also touched on budget concerns because of reduced revenue. Since fewer people are visiting and moving to the state, sales tax revenue is down. That means less money is allotted for education, yet educators are facing more requirements because of federal laws such as No Child Left Behind.

But Elia said she does support accountability. 'We support pay for performance,' she said. 'If someone does a good job in most private businesses, that is reflected in their pay. We believe in recognizing excellent performers.'

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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