UPDATED: Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, passed through the Senate on Thursday with a 20-15 vote.
The legislation gives superintendents the hiring authority of school principals, a concept long-supported by the business community.
In addition, the bill equalizes the number of parents and teachers on school councils by adding a parent representative. Currently, the councils have three teachers and two parents along with a principal.
Senate Bill 7 passed through the Senate State Government Committee on Wednesday with a 8-3 vote.