Georgia school board members on Thursday approved a request from DeKalb and two other school districts that will give them greater flexibility in how they spend their money.

The DeKalb, Clarke and Wayne school districts asked for a waiver from the state Education Department from rules that they spend at least 65 percent of their total operating expenses on classroom instruction.

The three districts asked for a waiver, citing financial hardships as a result of declines in state and local revenues in recent years. State officials say the current spending rules for school districts do not reflect recent cost increases for transportation, school nutrition and other services. State education officials have asked the Georgia Legislature to consider changes to the 65 percent rule.

State officials said they receive about 40 requests for waivers each year.

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A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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