PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate has approved legislation designed to settle ongoing fights between the state's schools chief and the state Board of Education.
Tuesday's 24-5 vote on Senate Bill 1416 sends the legislation on to the House. Sen. Jeff Dial's bill received no debate on the Senate floor before the vote.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas testified against it at a committee hearing earlier this month. She said the bill take away her oversight of board employees who need full-time oversight the board can't provide.
Dial says two ongoing lawsuits between Board of Education and superintendent show the need for lawmakers to act. He says the state Constitution charges the Legislature with setting the duties of each office.
