Senate loosens controls on school administrators

AUSTIN, TX The measure must now pass the House. The Legislature is meeting in special session to pass new school finance laws to balance the budget. Lawmakers are reducing the state's obligation to school districts by $4 billion.

Republican Sen. Florence Shapiro said the bill passed Monday would give school administrators more flexibility in adjusting to the budget cuts. Among other things, it changes the deadline for when administrators tell teachers whether or not their contract will be renewed. It also allows districts to put teachers on furloughs to save money.

The measure allows administrators to do away with the last-in, first-out practice of lay-offs in most districts.

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