Some lawmakers have said that raising the class size limit by just one student a classroom would save the state $170 million. Every penny counts in this lean economic climate and budget writers are trying to be creative when it comes to cost savings.
But Perdue said she would rather see cuts made in other areas. She estimated that the change would mean laying off about 3,000 teachers - something she opposes.
Despite budget challenges, Perdue has called for an increase in school spending. Her $21 billion budget proposal includes an average 1.8 percent pay increase for teachers, which would allow teachers to keep getting a little extra for each year of experience.
Other state employees would get no raise.
