The Lawrence school board Friday agreed to study in detail options for a city or county sales tax that would raise money for public schools.

“We have to have that discussion with the city and the county,” Supt. Randy Weseman said.

He raised the topic at a Friday policy retreat for school board members and administrators. The sales tax concept will be on the agenda of a joint city, county and schools meeting Sept. 10.

There are two basic options:

• County sales tax, with revenue shared by eight districts serving children in Douglas County. Cash could be divided on a per-pupil basis.
• City sales tax, which would be exclusively for use of the Lawrence district.

Movement to develop a sales tax for public schools follows voter approval in Johnson County of a quarter-cent sales tax that will raise $45 million in three years for public school districts in that county.

Board member Linda Robinson said she was prepared to vote for a sales tax right now.

“I don’t think we can put ourselves in the situation like the federal government is doing — continuing to spend and cut revenue sources,” Robinson said.

Board member Leonard Ortiz said the district shouldn’t seek community support for a sales tax at the same time it pushes adoption of a revised school bond plan.

“It’s probably not a good idea to do both at the same time,” he said.

In April, voters defeated a $59 million bond plan for school construction and renovation. Five people on the board endorsed that bond plan, while Ortiz and Minder campaigned against it.

Ortiz said the district could move ahead with formulation of a new bond issue in case a sales tax fell through.

“We should be prepared to have a bond issue at least on the back burner,” he said.

• eni Salkind, board vice president, said options for spending sales tax revenue in schools should be explored. She said it was unclear whether the money could be used for any expense, whether it be building renovation or teacher salaries.

“It’s a new ball game in terms of some of the rules,” she said.