Topeka ? Kansas school officials today got behind a $155 million tax increase for public schools, saying the plan would help cover increased costs that are forcing school districts to make cuts.

“It does stop the bleeding in school districts that has been on going,” Mark Desetti, with the Kansas National Education Assn., said of the proposal.

The Legislature reconvenes tomorrow for the wrap-up session to consider the issue of school funding.

A state court has declared the Kansas school finance system unconstitutional because it under-funds all students, especially minorities. The state has appealed that decision to the Kansas Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, lawmakers failed to agree on a school funding plan during the first part of the session.

A proposal by state Reps. Bill Kassebaum, R-Burdick, and Cindy Neighbor, R-Shawnee, would increase the state sales tax by two-tenths of a cent, and individual state income tax by 4.5 percent.

In a news conference, officials with several statewide education groups backed the plan.

Mark Tallman, with the Kansas Assn. of School Boards, said if the state doesn’t increase taxes for schools, then schools will have to cut programs, raise local taxes, and increase student fees.

In the long-term, he said, helping fund schools wil preserve Kansas’ highly regard school system and produce a well-trained workforce.

“This plan represents an investment that will help our economy,” he said.