House approves $5 million boost and new rules for class-size reduction funding

The Utah House approved first substitute House Bill 149, a $5 million addition to the class-size reduction line item together with detailed restrictions and reporting requirements for how school districts and charter schools may use the funds.

Representative Karen Morgan, sponsor, said studies show benefits for smaller K–3 classrooms and described the spending restrictions and reporting obligations in the bill: 50% of funds must be applied to K–2 and 50% to grades 3–8 with an emphasis on reading, waivers are available if K–2 class size averages are 18 or lower, and districts may use up to 20% of the funds for construction in some cases. "First substitute House Bill 149 is a fiscal note bill of $5 million for class size reduction," Morgan said on the floor.

Members debated accountability and whether districts should be barred from the appropriation if they fail to meet performance targets after three years. An amendment deleting a provision that could exclude districts facing rapid enrollment growth was offered and adopted after floor debate about growth pressures and audit versus exclusion policies.

Supporters argued the measure provides targeted funds and accountability; critics warned that $5 million is modest compared with total class-size spending and urged careful monitoring. The House recorded 59 yes votes, 6 no votes and 10 absent; the bill will be forwarded to the Senate as amended.

The floor record shows detailed direction about reporting, permitted uses and an emphasis that schools must submit annual plans describing how funds are used to reduce class sizes.