A lawsuit challenging the Kansas school finance system is being heard today in Shawnee County District Court.

Attorneys are trying to narrow their list of witnesses and exhibits, before a trial of the lawsuit begins. That trial is expected to last two weeks.

Attorneys filed the lawsuit on behalf of parents and administrators in the Dodge City and Salina school districts. They claim the state does not spend enough money on its public schools -- nor does it distribute the money fairly.

The state spends about two-point-six (b) billion dollars a year on its schools. But some education officials believe the figure -- three thousand-863 dollars per pupil -- should be much higher.

Presiding is Judge Terry Bullock, who handled a case 12 years ago that led to the current law.