The $161 million school finance package approved by the Kansas Senate Thursday would deliver an added $4.6 million to Lawrence schools.

“I’d say that’s a definite improvement,” Superintendent Randy Weseman said. However, “$4.6 million is going to be gone 15 days after it’s given to us.”

Later Thursday the House Education Committee dismantled the plan. The full House will take up the issue today.

Lawrence school board members have said they are committed to improving salaries for teachers. And the district has to cover rising costs for such standard necessities as fuel, heating and equipment, Weseman said.

Beyond salaries and operational costs, the district has another $3.5 million in funding requests for additional positions, new assessments, band uniforms, art supplies, and other items, Weseman said. The board has yet to prioritize the requests.

Weseman said he’s not optimistic the latest plan will pass.

“I’ve been over there,” he said. “I’ve seen what this is like. This is not a pretty picture in Topeka.”