Legislation to lower class sizes in North Carolina caused concern across the state, and the General Assembly is now considering relaxing size limits.

The General Assembly passed a mandate to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grades in the 2017-2018 school year, from 24 students to 19-21 students, based on grade level.

Part of state funding for school districts, however, is based on the number of students. Fewer students in each class would mean less funding, potentially leading to cuts in elective courses, such as art and physical education, to account for the cuts.

On Tuesday, a House committee approved new legislation, also known as House Bill 13, which would give more control to local school districts in determining class size limits. The House Appropriations Committee was set to debate HB13 on Thursday.

During the Beaufort County Board of Education meeting this week, the board passed a resolution voicing its support for new legislation.

“We had pretty good indication that it was going to go through the House. There was some real strong concern that it may not make it through the Senate,” said Dr. Don Phipps, superintendent of Beaufort County Schools. “We would support House Bill 13 because it’s a lot better than the original law.”

If the legislation remains as is, Beaufort County Schools would be forced to cut about nine personnel positions, Phipps said. If HB13 passes, the district would likely only have to cut one or two positions.

“I think the problem that it created was an unintended consequence, and when we brought that to light to the politicians that we’ve spoken to, they’ve realized the problem that it created,” Phipps said. “I don’t know that anybody would argue that reducing class size is a bad thing. Again, the problem is what it does to us as an ancillary effect.”

Although school officials are keeping an eye on legislative happenings in Raleigh, there have been no decisions as far as cutting costs, and there won’t be until a final decision is made at the state level, according to Phipps.

“I think anybody’s on, kind of, pins and needles … when we talk about budgets just because there’s a potential at any point in time for a position somebody’s in to be one that has a target on it,” Phipps said. “We’re prayerful and we’ve got our fingers crossed that the General Assembly will come through with the relief we need so desperately.”

As of press time, there was no word on when or if House Bill 13 will continue to the House floor for a vote.