TOPEKA ? The Kansas Legislature today started the first special session since 1989 to grapple with a state Supreme Court order to increase school funding.

Prior to the opening gavel, about 60 teachers gathered in the Capitol rotunda, urging lawmakers to comply with the June 3 court order to increase school funding by $143 million.

“Do the right thing,” Kansas NEA President Christy Levings said. “We need solid, stable funding for our schools.”

Several Lawrence teachers attended the news conference and planned to meet with legislators throughout the day.

Deena Burnett, who will teach at West Junior High in the next school year, said she will urge legislators to increase funding.

“It’s evident we have one of the premier education systems in the entire United States. We can’t continue to shortchange it,” Burnett said.

Later, a group of conservative Republicans planned a rally to oppose the court order. Many Republicans say the court overstepped its authority in ordering lawmakers to increase school funding.