INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana lawmakers are still taking public testimony Thursday as time to pass a new state budget by the end of the month begins running out.

Legislators heard more public testimony with only five days left before the current budget expires at midnight Tuesday.

Analysis: Capitol WatchBlog

Several school officials from districts with declining enrollments, including Indianapolis Public Schools, told state fiscal leaders Thursday that any cuts in spending could lead to teacher layoffs and program cuts.

The Republican-led Senate and Democrat-led House are at odds over how much to spend on schools and how the money should be doled out.

A House Democrat plan would spend more on schools than a budget bill approved by Senate Republicans.

There was a chance that private talks among lawmakers would begin in earnest on Thursday. But the conference committee plans to meet publicly again on Friday.