Bill relaxing superintendent rules advances

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana House has approved a bill that would end the requirement that local school superintendents hold a state superintendent's or teacher's license.

The House voted 58-40 on Tuesday in favor of the bill that supporters argue would give more flexibility to local school boards over whom they could hire as the top district administrator.

Republican Rep. Todd Huston of Fishers says school boards could still require their superintendents to hold a state license, but the bill would give them the option of hiring an experienced nonprofit or business leader.

Democratic Rep. Terri Austin of Anderson said state law already allows for temporary superintendent licenses and that the bill would wrongly remove any state standards for school district leaders.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.