Topeka ? The House Education Committee began debate Thursday on a $92 million school finance plan offered by the chamber’s Republicans, who were far from united on the merits of the proposal.

House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, and Majority Leader Clay Aurand, R-Courtland, told the committee the plan was a short-term solution to school funding that addressed needs of poor and minority students, while giving districts some flexibility.

“This should not be regarded as a permanent fix in any way,” Mays said. “This is something that will get us through to ’05, then everything will be on the table.”

The committee expects to vote Friday on the bill. An endorsement would lead to House debate next week.

The plan would allow school districts to increase spending on special-education programs by $40.5 million, but districts would have to reduce or eliminate a property tax break for home owners to get some of the funds.

Kansas currently exempts the first $2,300 of a residential property’s assessed value from the state’s school levy, saving owners $46 a year. The levy is $20 for every $1,000 of a residential property’s assessed value.

In addition, the plan would add about $28.5 million for teacher mentoring, bilingual education and programs for children who are at risk of dropping out of school. That money would come from existing state resources yet to be identified.

Aurand said when local, state and federal revenues are considered together, education spending in Kansas has kept up with inflation and schools are doing well.

However, in recognizing what the courts have ruled and the needs identified by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, he said, Republicans are offering what they feel is the best solution.

In December, a Shawnee County district judge ruled that the state’s school finance formula is constitutionally flawed and gave the governor and legislators until July 1 to fix it. The state has appealed that order to the Kansas Supreme Court.

“I have the feeling this isn’t a super-popular plan with everyone in here,” Aurand told the committee. “I think a lot of us can agree the money’s going to the right places.”

Opponents testified Thursday that the changes would broaden an existing gap in funding between the wealthiest and poorest school districts in Kansas.

Derby Superintendent Mike Pomarico, whose district is a member of the statewide Schools for Fair Funding organization, said his school board, like others, would find it difficult to levy more local property taxes. He noted that the courts have ruled that Kansas children are entitled to a suitable education.

“This suitable education is being determined by where they live,” he said.

The House plan is the GOP leadership’s response to Sebelius’ proposal, which would phase in a $304 million increase in school spending over three years, funded by increases in sales, income and property taxes. Her plan has been rejected in all or part of its current form.

Senate Education Chairman Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, said a school finance proposal from Senate Republicans would be announced Friday. Several senators have been meeting over the past several days, including visits with Sebelius to discuss options.

The Senate has rejected Sebelius’ full three-year plan, and a bill containing the first year of the plan is before Umbarger’s committee and still in play.

House school plan is HB 2940.

On the Net:

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org