TOPEKA ? An attorney for Kansas school districts that sued the state over funding has told a court panel it shouldn’t dismiss part of the case despite legislative action.

The three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court held a hearing Wednesday on a new education funding law approved by legislators in April. The law boosts aid to poor school districts by $129 million next school year.

Both sides agree the extra money complies with a Kansas Supreme Court mandate in March in the lawsuit.

But Alan Rupe, an attorney for the school districts, said the judges shouldn’t dismiss questions about whether the school funding formula is now fair, so that the panel can verify that the state follows through on its promises.

The state argues that part of the lawsuit should be dismissed.