If budget relief for public schools doesn’t arrive in the 2003 Legislature, the Lawrence school board supports filing a lawsuit to force better state financing of schools.

A majority of board members say they endorse the Kansas Association of School Boards’ proposal to file suit against the state, if lawmakers don’t increase public-school funding during the next session.

“I do think some sort of intervention is appropriate,” said Austin Turney, the Lawrence board’s vice president.

KASB served notice it would sue, claiming the state had failed to meet its constitutional duty to provide a suitable education for public schoolchildren in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The endorsement doesn’t obligate the Lawrence district to pay litigation costs.

The board voted 5-2 at its last meeting to send a letter to KASB in support of legal action.

Board members Leni Salkind, Mary Loveland, Sue Morgan, Turney and Jack Davidson were in support. Scott Morgan and Linda Robinson opposed the action.

“I agree with the sentiment, but the litigious nature of our society kind of bothers me,” said Morgan, the only attorney on the school board.

He said he would sign the letter anyway in his capacity as board president.

Davidson said the time for bolder action was near. His personal lobbying of House and Senate members on behalf of public education hadn’t been fruitful. There are too many legislators in office who “don’t want to be responsible” in the area of school finance, he said.

“This is a step that has to be taken,” Davidson said.