A cash crunch has forced Kansas to delay aid payments to its public schools for the fifth consecutive month.

The state was supposed to send about $200 million Monday to its 295 school district. State Budget Director Duane Goossen (GOH’-suhn) confirmed that none of the money was sent.

Goossen said the first half of the payments should be sent to school districts later this week. He said the second half probably will be paid later in the month.

The state still hasn’t made a quarterly $70 million payment to support teacher pensions that was due Jan. 15.

The latest delays come after tax collections in February fell $71 million short of expectations.

Goossen reiterated that he expects delays in school aid payments to continue through April.