CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Gov. John Lynch says he will not support a constitutional amendment to take the courts out of the debate over how to pay for public schools in New Hampshire.

Senate President Ted Gatsas and 13 other Republican state senators are backing an amendment, after a Superior Court judge threw out the current education funding plan.

“Whether it is the intention of the sponsors or not, this would allow future legislatures to abandon the state’s responsibility for education. Governor Lynch does not believe this is acceptable,” Lynch spokeswoman Pam Walsh said.

Last week, a superior court judge struck down the latest school funding law, saying the school aid formula unfairly allows property-rich communities to keep and spend more money on their schools than property poor communities.

Gatsas, who sponsored the disputed law, said the amendment will not mean lawmakers will shirk their obligation to approve money for schools.

The proposed amendment states the Legislature “shall have the responsibility to provide all citizens of the state the opportunity to receive a public education, and in furtherance thereof, the Legislature shall determine and define the context, extent, and funding of that education.”