Class-size costs seen differently by lawmakers, administration

[ryban]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lawmakers pressed administrators Thursday for estimates on what the state needs to spend to meet class-size reductions called for by voters in 2002, but got no firm figures in return.

"Worst-case scenario, where are we? Is it a $28 billion hit? Is it a $10 billion hit?" state Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, asked Jeanine Blomberg, who oversees class-size reduction at the state Department of Education.

Gov. Jeb Bush has used the higher figure, if the state is to meet voter goals by the 2010.

Blomberg told King and the Senate Education Appropriations subcommittee that she didn't have a projection, other than it would be "very, very high."

<snip>

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/apnews/stories/012705/D87SQ4JO1.shtml