The state Senate made public a new $19.7 billion budget today that makes no cuts to teacher assistants but requires local school districts to more savings on their own.
The new proposal refects a deal between House and Senate Republicans and at least four House Democrats who wanted to increase education spending.
The budget a key Senate subcommittee approved last week cut teacher assistants for all but kindergarten, a $390 million reduction. School districts would have had to find $4.4 million in savings on their own.
The budget posted today has no teacher assistant cuts, but requires local districts find $124.2 million in savings.
The Senate's $19.7 billion is just short of Gov. Bev Perdue's $19.9 billion proposal.
