As the next year’s state budget takes one step closer to reality, local schools continue to cheer as increased funding looks more like a certainty. “The governor and the legislature are to be commended for giving local districts great flexibility with these funds,” Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield said, adding the county school system has already approved an extension of next year’s school calendar. Georgia would spend $42 billion on state government under a plan approved Thursday by the state Senate that would raise pay for teachers and other employees, better fund regulatory services and proposes $10 million to fund startup businesses.