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SB 1647

INC TX-EDUCATION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Balkema and 5 co-sponsors

Requires Arizona public districts to adopt and enforce average and maximum K-12/CTE class sizes, using Classroom Site Fund to pay for reductions, with full rollout by 2030–31.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Erica Harriss
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Bill Summary · SB 1647

SB 1647 — Class size limits; policies; classroom site fund (Arizona, 2025) — Summary

Status: Introduced Feb 26, 2025; Rule 3-9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments (June 2, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Sen. Eva Diaz; Cosponsors: Lela Alston, Flavio Bravo, Priya Sundareshan. Companion: HB 2637.

Purpose

To require every public school governing board to adopt and implement class‑size policies for K–12 and career technical education (CTE) programs, and to allow monies from the Classroom Site Fund to be used for class‑size reduction needed to comply with those policies. The bill also updates related provisions governing Classroom Site Fund uses and local performance‑based pay systems.

Key provisions

  • Adds Arizona Revised Statutes § 15‑120.05 requiring each public school governing board/body to adopt a policy establishing both an average class size and a maximum class size for:
    • Kindergarten–3
    • Grades 4–8
    • Grades 9–12
    • Career technical education programs
    • (The introduced text provides the structure for these limits but does not include numeric values in the printed table.)
  • Deadlines and implementation:
    • Policy must be adopted before the 2030–2031 school year.
    • Full implementation begins in the 2030–2031 school year.
  • Operational rules:
    • The grade‑level unit average may not exceed the adopted average, though individual classes may be over the average so long as they do not exceed the adopted maximum.
    • No class may exceed the adopted maximum.
    • Calculations exclude specialized non‑regular classroom positions (principals, assistant principals, counselors, elementary art/music/PE, librarians, special education and other specialized positions).
    • Exceptions: certain classes (e.g., typewriting, instrumental/vocal music) may exceed limits if instructional effectiveness is not impaired.
    • Waiver process: schools may seek a waiver from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to exceed the average (provided individual classes remain at or below the maximum).
    • Prohibits creating split‑grade classes for the purpose of circumventing class‑size requirements; multi‑aged classes remain permissible. If split‑grade classes are used, the average class size for involved grades is treated as the maximum permitted in those classes.
  • Amends § 15‑977 (Classroom Site Fund):
    • Explicitly permits Classroom Site Fund monies to be spent for “class size reduction for the purposes of complying with § 15‑120.05.”
    • Retains and clarifies provisions requiring districts to adopt performance‑based compensation systems (lists elements such systems must address, including school and individual teacher performance, academic progress measures, dropout/graduation and attendance rates, parent/student ratings, teacher input, appeals, and regular evaluation). The provision references approval thresholds involving teacher votes.
    • Continues the Classroom Site Fund distribution framework (JLBC establishes a per‑pupil amount; allocations based on weighted student counts) and reaffirms continuous appropriation status for the fund.

Who is affected

  • Public school governing boards and governing bodies (districts, charter schools) — must adopt and implement policies.
  • School administrators and principals — responsible for site planning and notifying priorities for fund allocation.
  • Teachers — may be affected by staffing increases, classroom assignments, and the local performance‑based compensation systems tied to Classroom Site Fund use.
  • Students and families — could see smaller class sizes if policies are implemented and funded.
  • State education finance — potential increased demand on district budgets or the Classroom Site Fund for hiring, facilities, and related operational costs.

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • The bill does not specify numeric class‑size thresholds in the introduced text; boards must set the concrete averages and maxima before 2030–31.
  • Implementing lower averages and strict maxima is likely to require hiring additional teachers and possibly expanding classroom space, creating fiscal pressure on districts and/ or increased reliance on Classroom Site Fund monies.
  • The Classroom Site Fund language allows funds to be used for compliance, but fund capacity and distribution rules will determine how broadly districts can rely on it.
  • Schools may apply for state waivers from average limits under limited conditions.

Procedural notes

  • Introduced Feb 26, 2025; currently re‑referred to Assignments under Rule 3‑9(a) (June 2, 2025).
  • Keep in mind the introduced version shows blanks for the numeric class‑size targets; these may be filled in or modified through amendment during committee or floor consideration.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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