A new state law will give school districts flexibility for another next year to cope with tight finances by having larger classes and taking other steps.
Gov. Susana Martinez signed legislation into law last week that will allow waivers of certain state educational mandates, such as teaching load requirements and the length of school days, to give districts more leeway in spending state aid and adjusting their budgets in the 2013-2014 school year.
Similar relief has been provided since 2009, when the Legislature cut state spending to cope with a budget shortfall after the economy soured. But that flexibility would have ended this year without legislation to extend it.
Legislative analysts say the new law can help districts with growing enrollments avoid hiring additional teachers.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.