State lawmakers are saying it won’t happen, but given the current uncertainty about state funding for K-12 schools, it seems reasonable for school district officials to be concerned about the prospect of having to return state money already received and committed for the current school year.

The question of repayment arises as a result of the new “block grant” school funding system passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by the governor last month. The law took effect on Thursday and applies to districts for the current fiscal year, which runs through June 30, and the next two fiscal years.

The law reduces the amount of “equalization” aid school districts receive for capital outlay and local option budgets. That’s money that school districts already had included in the current year’s budgets. In some cases, they already had received more state equalization funds than the state now says they’re entitled to, so they’re trying to figure out how to repay that money. According to the Kansas State Department of Education, dozens of public school districts have been overpaid a total of about $3.7 million. The Lawrence district alone, figures it would have to repay $672,000.

This isn’t a problem, say state legislators. Their plan is to attach a proviso to the state’s general budget bill to provide the $3.7 million and eliminate the need for any districts to repay the state. Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, even criticized one school district for delaying a maintenance project because of uncertainty about the budget cuts, saying there was no reason for such a delay “unless they wanted to do it politically.”

Districts that are delaying projects and shortening their school years aren’t being political; they are being prudent. Legislators may say they will add money to the state budget to offset what school districts would have to repay, but who knows whether that actually will happen? When legislators started their spring break last week, the only budget on the table exceeded projected revenues by at least $224 million. Depending on new revenue estimates that are due on April 20, the shortfall may be greater. School districts and every other entity that receives state funds know there are no guarantees about funding until legislators figure out how to bridge that spending and revenue gap.

Even if they escape further cuts this year, school districts will face a whole new funding system for the next two years, during which legislators have promised to come up with yet another way to fund public schools. The courts also are expected to weigh in on school finance, adding further uncertainty to the picture.

How can school districts plan for the future, or even the next year? School board members elected Tuesday in Lawrence and across the state face a daunting task.