Lawmakers are looking at cutting per-pupil spending by as much as 3.5 percent next school year, according to a preliminary budget bill the House passed Wednesday.

HB1, the education base budget for next school year, also includes 12 to 15 percent less total funding compared with this school year. That's partly because it does not include the federal stimulus money schools received last year.

Lawmakers, however, stressed HB1 is just a first step and they're optimistic the final education budget will include significantly more money. They said they'll know more once updated revenue figures are released later this month.

"We're early in our process and if the past is any indication of going through this process, the final budget bill for public education will look very different in a positive way," said Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City.

Rep. Carol Moss, D-Holladay, called HB1 a "worst case scenario" and said she has faith the final education bill will be much different than HB1.

Under HB1, the state would not spend additional money to fund 11,000 new students expected in Utah classrooms next school year. That means the money the state now spends would be spread more thinly. Now, the state spends a base amount of $2,577 per student. Under HB1, the amount would drop to $2,487. Utah already has the lowest base per pupil spending in the nation.

The State Board of Education hopes in the end lawmakers will pull money from the state's Rainy Day Fund and other sources to fund education at the same level as this school year. That still would mean a dip, because of the projected 11,000 new students, but is similar to what Gov. Gary Herbert has proposed.

Still, some lawmakers voted against HB1, saying it was too extreme. The bill passed 55-18.

"For me to vote for this bill would say that the status quo is acceptable, and I can tell you, ladies and gentlemen, it is not acceptable," said Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan.

Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, also voted no. "Because we're not in this bill funding growth, I have tremendous apprehensions," she said.

The bill now goes to the Senate.