Topeka ? Three state Senate leaders today proposed extending the school finance law one more year and increasing funding to keep up with inflation.

According to current state law, public schools will receive a $122 million increase in the next school year, which is the final payment of a three-year plan. That plan was approved to satisfy a Kansas Supreme Court order to increase spending in public schools.

The proposal released today would add another $65 million increase in the 2009-10 school year. That would mean a $59 increase in base state aid per pupil.

The senators said the move would allow schools to plan more efficiently and prevent slips in funding.

“Now that we have caught up, we should continue to keep up with inflation so the state does not fall behind again,” Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independent, said.

The proposal was made by Schmidt, Senate Vice President John Vratil, R-Leawood, and Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita.