The Lawrence school board on Monday mulled the district’s 2005-06 budget, advancing slowly as members wait for the Kansas Supreme Court to rule on the state finance plan.

“We’re just waiting,” board member Cindy Yulich said.

How much money the district has to spend depends on the state finance plan. A hearing on the finance package is set for Wednesday.

Board talks will continue. The board typically approves a budget in mid-August.

Earlier Monday, the board and Lawrence Education Assn. ratified a negotiated agreement covering salaries for 2004-05.

Under the agreement, most of the district’s more than 800 teachers and certified staff will receive a “step increase” in pay for the current school year.

A step increase is an incremental raise based on experience and postgraduate hours of education.

Teachers will receive raises in lump-sum payments between July 1 and July 20. The money will come from the district’s 2005-06 budget.