Bill to give districts more time to fix fiscal woes passes House - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

LITTLE ROCK (Arkansas News Bureau) — The House advanced bills Thursday that would give fiscally distressed school districts more time to get their financial houses in order and would create a new state panel to decide the fate of charter schools.

The Senate rejected legislation that would make Arkansas law mirror federal law in penalties regarding lead-based paint.

The House voted 89-1 to pass House Bill 1770 by Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville. The bill would change the maximum amount of time that a school or school district can be in fiscal distress, academic distress or facilities distress from two years to five years.

"It gives them up to five years, and actually puts some language in there that will allow some advisory boards, once progress is being made after two years, where those advisory boards can come on and … help them," Perry said.

Click here for more on this story from the Arkansas News Bureau.