TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The Topeka school district is considering layoffs and school closures because of an uncertain state funding.

School board member Ned Nusbaum calls the district's financial situation the "most severe" he has ever witnessed.

The state budget crisis means the district could face a reduction of $2.7 million this academic year.

Nusbaum said a committee is looking into the feasibility of closing two elementary schools.

But Superintendent Kevin Singer said it generally takes at least 18 months to close a school.

The school district already has taken steps to help address the financial crunch. Those steps include focusing on conserving energy and limiting out-of-state travel for the rest of the year.

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