In an environment filled with uncertainty, the Lawrence school board today began its first formal budget talks.

Without a final state school finance plan, its difficult to see what the future holds. A hearing on the state Legislature’s school finance package is planned for May 11 before the Kansas Supreme Court.

“If we don’t know by June, we can’t get our budgets done,” Supt. Randy Weseman said. “It’s kind of dicey at this point.”

District staff listed their funding needs, which included: additional personnel in several areas, funds to raise pay for substitute teachers and classified employees and funds for elementary art supplies.

The wish list will be whittled down in upcoming weeks as board members establish priorities, Weseman said.

“There’s really a great need and not a great deal of money to spread around,” board member Leni Salkind said.

Though the outlook could change, there may be one optimistic sign in this budget process. Board member Linda Robinson said this year marks the first time in several years that the board hasn’t had to prioritize cuts.

“This is the first time since I’ve been on the board that we’ve had any money,” said Robinson, a member since 2001.

For more on this story, see the 6News reports at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband’s channel 6 and pick up a copy of Thursday’s Journal-World.