What It Does: Similar to Amendment 5, this amendment would change the way the Legislature redraws congressional district boundaries to reflect population shifts.

What It Does: Would relax class size requirements for public schools by allowing schools to calculate as a school-wide average, rather than on a per class basis. That said, the maximum number of students allowed in each class would be: 21 students for pre-kindergarten through third grade; 27 students for the fourth through eighth grades; and 30 students in the nine through 12th grades. The limits would not apply to virtual classes and would take place retroactively, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, which is already underway.

Background: In 2002, Florida voters approved a Constitutional amendment requiring Florida public schools to limit class sizes to: 18 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade classes; 22 students in the fourth through eighth grade classes; and 25 students in ninth through 12th grade classes. Thus far, schools have been able to use school-wide class size averages to satisfy the class size requirements, but this fall, each individual classroom much meet the strict size limits and those that aren’t meeting the limits will face stiff fines.

To date, the state has spent more than $18 billion to implement the Class Size amendment — but some school officials and state lawmakers say the class size rules are simply too onerous and too expensive, especially in the current economic environment. Amendment 8, which was proposed by Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Will Weatherford, would give schools more flexibility and allow them to continue to use a school’s average class size to meet the requirements. This amendment would allow schools to base their count on school-wide averages, so long as each individual class does not exceed the aforementioned class maximums.

The Florida Education Association is leading the opposition to this amendment with its “Vote NO on 8” campaign. The teachers union says it would result in crowded classrooms and less funding for public schools and the group is suing to try and have the amendment removed from the November ballot on the basis that it is confusing and misleading to voters.

Proponents: Sen. Don Gaetz; Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel); Florida TaxWatch; many local school board and school superintendents; Associated Industries of Florida

Opponents: Florida Education Association; U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek; Vote NO on 8 Committee, chaired by Sen. Alex Villalobos (R-Miami); Florida PTA; 50th No More; Fund Education Now

Financial Impact: Florida TaxWatch estimates that Amendment 8 would significantly reduce class size implementation costs and could save Florida taxpayers $350 million to $1 billion annually. School districts, which could face stiff penalties for non-compliance under the more stringent class-size amendments, also stand to gain.