 Republican legislative leaders in Kansas are responding to a key concern about their new school funding plan by including a proposal to set aside dollars for extraordinary needs.

Top GOP lawmakers outlined a plan Thursday to replace the state's current formula for distributing aid with "block grants" for school districts based on their current aid. Republicans said their goal is to keep funding stable.

Some educators worried beforehand that stable funding would hurt districts with growing student populations or financial emergencies.

Republican leaders said their plan would set aside funds for school districts with big enrollment increases or other major issues.

They said they would set aside $4 million for the current school year, $12.3 million for the 2015-16 school year and $17.5 million for the 2016-15 school year.