N.C. Rep. Ruth Samuelson said Thursday she's going to "park" the controversial bill giving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools freedom to revise teacher pay and evaluations in hopes that supporters and opponents can work out differences.

She also unveiled a revised version that specifies that teachers won't take pay cuts if CMS launches a performance-pay system and specifies that educators must be involved in crafting the plan. Both changes were suggested by CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman.

The bill, if passed by the House and Senate, would still allow the CMS school board to revise the state pay scale for teachers without a vote by teachers. That sparked outrage among teachers when Samuelson introduced the bill, which was prepared by Gorman's staff.

A 2007 bill allowed up to five N.C. districts to pilot performance pay, but required that a majority of affected teachers approve such plans. Gorman and Samuelson say teachers shouldn't have veto power but should be involved in figuring out how to create a fair, effective plan to reward teachers for student gains.

In an email sent to constituents Thursday, Samuelson said she's trying to create a bill that meets Gorman's goals while taking into account criticism she has heard from teachers and others.

To do that, she said she will try to get the bill passed by a House committee next week, and by the full House shortly afterward. After that, it can be "parked" before going to the Senate, which could put it on hold until June 2012.

"By taking this course, all parties have a vested interest in continuing to participate in improving the proposed (pay for performance) project," Samuelson's email says. "If we let the bill '9die' then it isn't fair to the folks at CMS and others who believe in the program. If we move the bill too quickly, then the folks most impacted will not be vested in it and the program will fail."

Gorman, who was on vacation this week, had previously said he supported amending the bill to specify teacher involvement and no pay cuts.