Lawmakers ended their regular session Wednesday without responding to a Kansas Supreme Court decision that school funding is unconstitutional, raising the prospect of a special session or a constitutional crisis that could close schools in less than a month.

Senate Republicans wrangled over potential responses but were wildly divergent. Some wanted the Legislature to promptly respond and spend an additional $40 million. Others mulled open defiance of the court, talking of forging an agreement with Gov. Sam Brownback to pardon anyone the Supreme Court might hold in contempt.

"This court doesn’t have any intention of allowing this issue to be resolved," said Sen. Jeff Melcher, R-Leawood. "They’re going to continue dropping little turds like they have at the appropriate times to do everything they can to try to discredit the Legislature."

With the caucus sharply divided, Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Nickerson, ruled out taking action before the formal end of session Wednesday, known as sine die.

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that the school finance formula doesn’t distribute funds in an equitable way. Senators vented their fury during a caucus meeting, calling the decision political and designed to boost the justices’ retention chances.

In the wake of the ruling, legislative leaders had initially ruled out responding to the ruling on Wednesday. But late Tuesday, after top lawmakers met with Brownback and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, murmurs grew that the Legislature might take action.

In the end, however, division among Republicans over the way forward appeared to stymie efforts to tackle the ruling immediately.

"Right now, it is apparent that even though some of the arguments for acting today are very well thought out, very reasonable, we are nowhere near being unanimous or having any strong position as to which direction — there’s too much uncertainty and, honestly, rightly so," Bruce said, adding lawmakers had only had a short time to review the ruling.

The Supreme Court first ruled in February the state’s school funding system was inequitable. In response, lawmakers passed legislation that changed how the state distributes funds — but the court found their response also was unconstitutional.

The 47-page ruling in the 6-year-old Gannon v. Kansas case was issued Friday afternoon. It said the state’s latest changes to school finance create "intolerable, and simply unfair, wealth-based disparities" among wealthier and poorer school districts.

Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, called on lawmakers to act. He said he didn’t want to return for a special session. Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, rebuffed the idea of simply appropriating an additional $40 million — an amount many believe would satisfy the court.

"That’s just extortion, and you’re saying, ‘Pay the ransom,’ " Masterson said to Longbine.

Democrats had urged action on school finance during the sine die session.

"If we are truly concerned about keeping schools open in August, we should have used this sine die session to appropriate the required amount of money — in this case, $38 million — for school funding equity," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka.

Hensley said Republicans had instead chosen to engage in a "charade" over a resolution condemning federal guidance over restroom use by transgender students.

With no action taken Wednesday, Brownback will likely have to call a special session in order to respond to the ruling. In the meantime, the clock continues to tick closer to the Supreme Court’s June 30 deadline.

In a short statement, Brownback didn't indicate if he will call a special session.

"I will work with the Attorney General and Legislative leadership to respond aggressively and appropriately to any action taken by the Kansas Supreme Court to close our schools. Kansas has great schools and they should remain open. The Court should not be playing politics with our children’s education," Brownback said.

If the Legislature doesn’t act, the Supreme Court could take action that would effectively close the schools. Some lawmakers also believe the justices could reinstitute a previously repealed funding formula and order money appropriated for it.

Sen. Mitch Holmes, R-St. John, floated the idea of legislation to exempt individuals tasked with funding schools from potential contempt of court citations.

He said if the Supreme Court strikes that down, then the Legislature should reach an agreement with Brownback to pardon individuals whom the court might find in contempt for not following its order. He argued this would allow schools to stay open.

"It’s bold, it’s uncharted, but I guess the court beat us there. They’re in the uncharted water first," Holmes said.

Several GOP lawmakers said they believe the justices ruled with their minds on keeping their seats on the court. Several of the justices are up for retention votes in November.