Topeka ? A state center meant to help school districts become more efficient is under fire even before it starts operation.

At a legislative committee meeting Tuesday, several lawmakers criticized efforts to establish the Center for Innovative School Leadership.

“There will be some of us watching this very closely,” said Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, vice chairman of the Legislative Education Planning Committee.

In its past session, the Legislature approved a bill allocating $250,000 to start the center, which would assist school districts in improving administrative efficiency.

According to the bill, the center would be a cooperative among Emporia, Fort Hays and Pittsburg state universities.

In June, the Kansas Board of Regents approved allocating funds to Emporia State for planning and development of the center.

The regents’ action was blasted by some lawmakers.

“The board circumvented the Legislature’s intent,” said Rep. R.J. Wilson, D-Pittsburg.

Wilson, the House assistant minority leader, said the Legislature, on three separate votes, stipulated that the center would be a collaborative effort by the three universities.

By placing the center at Emporia State, the state will lose out on the expertise provided by programs at Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State, Wilson said.

Emporia State President Kay Schallenkamp told the committee the schools would collaborate, but Umbarger questioned why only Emporia State had done initial research into similar centers in other states.

Kip Peterson, a spokesman for the regents, said some lawmakers wanted the $250,000 to go to a single institution, while others had a strong interest in establishing cooperation among the three regional universities.

He said the regents’ decision was an attempt to please both sides.

“The board allocated the $250,000 to Emporia State but expressly stated that the three institutions work together,” he said.

Schallenkamp said she hoped the center would be in operation next spring and ready to conduct pilot reviews of schools. She said she was advertising for a director and had received 17 applications.