FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: March 07, 2022
Time Requested: 10:26 AM |
| Agency: |
Education, WV Department of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1704 |
Comm. Sub. |
HB4467 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Education (K12) |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
0313
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund N/A
Legislation creates:
Creates New Expense, Creates New Fund:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The total estimated annual cost to the State for the proposed legislation is $12,459,485, commencing with the 2023-24 fiscal year and ceasing at the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Therefore, the total cost of the proposed legislation across the three years of the model project is $37,378,455.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2022
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
37,378,455 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
37,378,455 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Under the proposed legislation, the State Superintendent will select 300 first grade classrooms having more than 12 students each in order to establish and implement a model project wherein an early childhood classroom assistant teacher (ECCAT) shall be hired and placed in each classroom. The model project is to begin with the 2023-2024 school year and cease at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The estimated annual cost of the model project totals $12,459,485, which is calculated as follows:
Average state-wide contracted salary for ECCAT positions: $29,549.11
Total number of ECCAT positions to be funded, annually: $300.00
Total annual salary estimate: $8,864,733
Plus:
Estimated fixed costs at 8.29%: $734,886
Estimated retirement contributions at 7.82%: $693,222
Estimated PEIA premiums for new positions ($7,222.15 avg. per policy holder): $2,166,644
Total Estimated Annual Cost for 300 Additional ECCAT Positions: $12,459,485
Please note that the salary estimate utilizes the state-wide average contracted salary for ECCATS during the 2021-2022 school year, which is the most up-to-date data available at the time of this estimate. Any raises approved by the State and/or county boards of education would directly impact this estimate. Furthermore, the average PEIA premium is being used to estimate the health insurance costs associated with the additional positions. Actual premiums will vary depending upon whether the new ECCAT positions enroll in health insurance and, if so, which plan they select.
Memorandum
This proposed legislation would have no impact on State or county boards of education budgets for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The expansion of the Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher utilization in Grade 1 classrooms will assist to increase children's overall academic, as well as social and emotional, development in preparation for the upper elementary grades and beyond. A study conducted by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) between 2015-2020 in the state revealed instructional gaps in English language arts and mathematics, as well as social/emotional development, were already prevalent by Grades 1 and 2.
This legislation will also provide benefits to the state's workforce development efforts by creating 300 new jobs. Options will exist for both high school graduates who have completed an ECCAT Career and Technical Education program of study, as well as citizens who aim to enter the education field, to have access to training that will provide them the opportunity to become an ECCAT.
There may be an associated cost to be solely borne by county boards of education relating to the portion of the proposed legislation pertaining to the requirement for in-service training. The training is to be provided to ECCATs relating to their responsibilities and appropriate measures for exercising authority and control over students, the cost of implementation is indeterminable at this time.
Currently, legislation exists that requires an ECCAT in all WV Universal Pre-K classrooms and in all kindergarten classrooms with more than 10 pupils. To continue to raise the quality of the state's early learning programs through research-based best practices, high-quality early learning programs that are led by supportive and well-qualified adults can yield up to a 13 percent return on investment over time. This return on investment can lead to increased high school graduation rates, less reliance on public assistance, and even a lower likelihood of jail time as adults for children who attend these high-quality programs during their early years of schooling.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Samuel E. Pauley
Email Address: sepauley@k12.wv.us