JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Chamber of Commerce and a small-government think tank are supporting a plan from Republican lawmakers to overhaul how the state distributes aid to its public schools.

But the chamber’s CEO and a lobbyist for the Kansas Policy Institute were the only witnesses testifying in favor of the plan Monday when the House Appropriations Committee opened hearings.

School district officials and education groups testified against the plan to jettison the state’s current school funding formula and give districts “block grants” based on their current aid.

The new system would remain in place while legislators create a new school funding formula.

Chamber President and CEO Mike O’Neal said the current formula doesn’t get enough money into classrooms.

But educators said the formula responds quickly to changes in student populations.