ATLANTA -- The Georgia House has approved legislation that would give schools more flexibility in how they spend their state dollars for the next three years.
The measure passed 137-34 on Tuesday.
State Rep. Ed Casas, a Lilburn Republican, argued the measure will help school districts make it through tough economic times. He said it could help districts avoid furloughing teachers by allowing them to spend money intended for libraries and media centers for educator salaries instead.
The Georgia Association of Educators supports the bill.
But House Minority Leader DuBose Porter said three years is too long to waive state rules. He also argued that the House leadership -- which has pledged more transparency -- did not allow input from Democrats.
Several North Georgia lawmakers supported such flexibility during a January roundtable before the session.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, said local educators know their own needs better than state bureaucrats.
Rep. Jay Neal, R-LaFayette, said everyone involved in local education needs to tell lawmakers their ideas for savings and efficiency.
"I think that partnership is vital," he said.
Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, said school leaders "have got to be at the table helping guide us through this process."
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