Local school boards deal with their own budget and levy taxes.
But policy issues are largely set on a statewide basis by the state's Department of Education or Legislature.
The local boards had pushed lawmakers for the measure approved
Wednesday. They say they want to be free to experiment and try innovative ideas, but must deal with a balky education bureaucracy to get approval.
The House approved the measure on a 64-30 vote, sending it to the Senate.
Some critics worry that giving local boards new flexibility to set policies within the district could lead to them imposing new fees and charges on students and their parents.
