Topeka ? Democratic Gov.-elect Kathleen Sebelius and Republican legislative leaders are headed toward a clash about education spending.

Sebelius has promised to reject cuts in aid to public schools despite the state’s serious financial problems.

GOP leaders are equally adamant that cuts in school aid must be considered as legislators deal with the budget.

The looming conflict has its roots in the gubernatorial campaign, when Sebelius accused Republican nominee Tim Shallenburger of being willing to cut school spending.

Her victory showed that voters want schools protected, she said in a recent interview.

“I thought it was pretty clear,” she said. “I thought that was one of the defining issues between my campaign and the campaign of my opponent.”

But Republican leaders have been skeptical of Sebelius’ promise on education spending, especially given other statements suggesting she would not support tax increases.

“I don’t think you can leave education alone — it’s impossible,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Steve Morris, R-Hugoton. “The hole’s too big.”

Neither Sebelius nor legislative leaders doubt the seriousness of the budget crisis they will begin tackling Jan. 13, when the session convenes and Sebelius takes office.

For the current budget year, which ends June 30, Gov. Bill Graves averted a projected $312 million deficit with cuts and withholdings, including about $17 million sliced from education spending. As much as $800 million separates projected revenue and spending in the 2004 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Schools are now set to receive $3,863 per pupil from the state under the current budget. Including funding for special education, buildings, transportation and programs for poor children, state aid to school districts totals about $2.3 billion.

That is slightly more than half the money appropriated from the general fund, which holds most of the state’s tax revenue.

Republican leaders argue the already difficult financial situation becomes twice as hard to solve if aid to public schools isn’t cut. If public schools are protected, then social services and higher education will absorb deeper reductions.

“I think everything — everything — is on the table,” said incoming House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka. “I don’t think we can afford to hold anything harmless.”

Legislators could follow last year’s $252 million tax increase with another tax increase. But Republican leaders see little enthusiasm for the idea and have said taxes will be raised only with a push from Sebelius.

“I am always conscious of the fact that there are people in a lot of areas in Kansas in real economic trouble,” Sebelius said. “I think there’s a sense of we have to tighten our belts.”

The fight with GOP leaders is coming because, even though they acknowledge the importance of public schools, they don’t know how to avoid cutting school aid while reducing other agency budgets.

“If somebody can show me a way you can do that without raising taxes, I’d be glad to look at it,” Mays said. “I just don’t think that we could.”