If the Kansas Supreme Court goes along with the Legislature’s new school finance plan, the Lawrence school district could expect a $5.3 million increase in state and local aid, district officials said Monday.

“That’s a mighty big ‘if,'” Supt. Randy Weseman said.

In a ruling earlier this year, the high court gave the Legislature until today to correct inequities within the state’s school finance formula. How soon the court rules on the new plan remains to be seen.

The school district, Weseman said, can’t wait. It has to start building its budget for 2005-06.

“Technically, the bill becomes law Friday, so we’re going with it,” Weseman said. “If it’s thrown out, we can adjust. But at this point, we need to get started.”

Within this context, board members on Monday voted 6-0 to set aside:

• $1 million for a “step” increase in teacher pay for 2004-05 and 2005-06.
• $1.3 million for 28 additional teachers needed to limit kindergarten through third-grade classes to no more 24 pupils, and fourth through sixth grades to no more than 30.

Of the 28 new teaching positions, 21 would be considered permanent, and seven would be temporary.

Kathy Johnson, the school district’s budget director, said enrollment projections for next year appeared to be “holding steady or increasing a little bit.”

Board members agreed to put off decisions on how to spend the remaining $3 million in new aid until after one or more study sessions and, possibly, until after the court renders a decision.

Weseman said he expected the court to reject part or all of the school finance bill, House Bill 2247. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius last week announced she would allow the bill to become law without her signature.

Monday’s deliberations are unrelated to the $63 million in construction and technology bond issues approved by voters last week.