Kansas legislators are “tinkering with fire” if they fail to pass a school funding bill and the Supreme Court keeps schools closed, Lawrence public schools Supt. Randy Weseman said Saturday.

“In the absence of governance, this is what happens,” an obviously frustrated Weseman said in a telephone interview. “I guess we don’t have the people in Topeka who can solve problems. It’s a sad situation.”

Keeping schools closed not only will affect hundreds of district employees, it could also affect financial obligations, bonded indebtedness and the district’s bond ratings, Weseman said. District officials can’t plan for anything, he said.

At the same time, however, Weseman backs the court. Although Weseman doesn’t want to see schools remain closed at the end of summer break next month, he also said the justices should “do what they need to do.”

“If they pull the plug on it, I guess I’ll be the last one out and I’ll turn off the light behind me,” Weseman said.

Members of the Lawrence school board, as well, expressed frustration with the funding hangup and the spectre of closed schools.

“That’s a disaster if we get to that point,” said board member Sue Morgan. “Obviously, that doesn’t help anyone.”

Board member Leonard Ortiz said he worried that a school shut down would have adverse effects not only for the students, but also for the state economy.

“Parents wouldn’t be able to go to work, and all the services that are linked to education would have to shut down as well,” Ortiz send. “But I hope it doesn’t get to that point.”