MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Legislation allowing city and county school systems to opt out of state education laws could come up for a final vote in the Senate as early as next week.

A school flexibility bill cleared the House on Feb. 14 and got approved by the Senate Education Committee 5-3 Wednesday, with Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no. The sponsor, Republican Rep. Chad Fincher of Semmes, said it could be considered by the Senate next week, but nothing is definite.

The bill is supported by the Republican governor, key Republican leaders in the Legislature, the state school superintendent and several education groups. It is opposed by the state teachers' organization, the Alabama Education Association, and most Democrats in the Legislature.

The committee rejected amendments to keep school boards from opting out of tenure.