Tagged: Alabama school flexibility bill

Legislation that would allow city and county school systems to opt out of state education laws could come up for a final vote in the Senate next week.

A school flexibility bill cleared the House on Feb. 14 and was approved by the Senate Education Committee in a 5-3 vote Wednesday, with Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no. A spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh says the bill is a priority and could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday.

Gov. Robert Bentley says he's ready to sign whatever version of the bill the Legislature passes.

The Alabama House has approved legislation that supporters say will give local school districts the authority to make changes in rules and regulations to improve education in Alabama public schools.

The House voted 65-37 mostly along party lines to pass the legislation called the Local Control Flexibility Act. The Republican majority in the House supported the bill and said it would allow local schools to in some cases change rules and regulations that school officials feel are getting in the way of quality education.

Government consolidation and school flexibility bills will be in front of the Legislature on Thursday.

A spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he expects the Senate to consider a bill to consolidate some organizations that serve the Legislature, including the bill-writing and budget-writing services. The bill is part of a package by the Senate's Republican leadership to try to save money. The Senate passed bills on Tuesday to consolidate law enforcement agencies and information technology programs.