1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, each school district together with the recognized associations representing licensed educational personnel shall develop a plan to reduce the district’s pupil-teacher ratio per class in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3 within the limits of available financial support specifically set aside for this purpose and submit that plan to the State Board.

2. In lieu of complying with the pupil-teacher ratio prescribed in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 388.700, a school district in a county whose population is less than 100,000 may, in consultation with the recognized associations representing licensed educational personnel, develop a plan to reduce the district’s pupil-teacher ratios per class for specified grade levels in elementary schools. Alternative ratios for grade 6 may only be approved for those school districts that include grade 6 in elementary school. The alternative pupil-teacher ratios must not:

(a) Exceed 22 to 1 in grades 1, 2 and 3; and

(b) Exceed 25 to 1 in grades 4 and 5 or grades 4, 5 and 6, as applicable.

3. The State Board shall approve a plan submitted pursuant to subsection 2 if the plan:

(a) Reduces the district’s pupil-teacher ratio in the elementary schools within the school district; and

(b) Is fiscally neutral such that the plan will not cost more to carry out than a plan that complies with the ratios prescribed in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 388.700.

(Added to NRS by 1989, 2106; A 1991, 1605; 2005, 2163)