A lawyer hired by the Kansas Legislature is questioning its staff as he attempts to compile evidence for an ongoing lawsuit over school funding.

Attorney Toby Crouse interviewed legislative researchers and bill-drafting attorneys during an unusual meeting Monday of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

The committee’s members were present, and the meeting was open to the public. A court reporter was compiling a transcript of the meeting.

Four school districts have pursued a lawsuit against the state over education funding since 2010. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled last month that the state is shorting poor school districts on their aid and ordered lawmaker to fix the problems by June 30.

Legislative leaders hired Crouse to help them compile evidence to present to the high court in future proceedings.