(KNZA)--A local lawmaker is speaking out in support of this week's Senate passage of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback's plan to overhaul public school funding. 

Brownback's fellow Republican, Senator Dennis Pyle, of rural Hiawatha, says naysayers  of the $4.1 billion plan should avoid apprehension until they fully understand what the measure means. “The bill is 100 pages in length, and I encourage all questioning its impact to read the bill. While there is understandably a lot of fear surrounding this proposal, it does allow districts more local control by giving districts expanded fund flexibility. Also, the funding is stabilized for two years, allocating $300 million in new funding to schools though FY 17. The act does bring more transparency to the funding of our schools which is appropriate this took place during Sunshine Week.”  

Pyle, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said the approach taken by the overhaul led to his support of the measure. “The State of Kansas, supported by hard working taxpayers, is taking the necessary action to bring about more local control and a greater understanding and comprehension of how our schools are funded. I supported this measure in large part because of these components. Serving on the Senate Education Committee and listening to concerns surrounding the details and complications of the current formula this session and the past two sessions revealed it is time for a more transparent and legally sustainable approach.” 

The Senate Monday voted 25 to 14 to approve the measure. 

However, it could be blocked by a district court order issued Friday in regards to a pending case regarding whether the state is funding schools at constitutionally adequate levels under the current school funding formula.