State senators want many changes in the formula used to determine the amount of aid schools get.

Lawmakers responding to the annual Associated Press pre-session survey say the formula needs to be improved.

Specific areas mentioned for improvement include how the costs of educating special needs students are determined and how option enrollment students are handled.

Senator Ray Mossey of Omaha says the formula needs to be fair and something everyone can understand.

But Omaha Senator Kermit Brashear says attempting to make the formula perfect is a pointless exercise.

The state is being sued by the Omaha Public School system and three others over the formula. The schools say it doesn't do enough to assist schools with a lot of poor students.