Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday urged the public to provide input next month at a series of forums on education.

“We must be committed to investing in the future of Kansas,” Sebelius said.

Recently, a 27-member task force appointed by Sebelius to study the state’s educational system issued a preliminary report that called for increased spending on early childhood learning, at-risk students and improved access to higher education.

The group didn’t identify funding sources for the improvements.

Here’s a look at priorities outlined by Sebelius’ task force:

• Fund the existing school-finance formula and institute an annual cost-of-living increase
• Centralize early childhood funding through the governor’s office
• Expand programs for high-risk students
• Increase funding to higher education “and not depend on student tuition increases to replace state funds”
• Fund the final portion of higher education reforms enacted in 1999
• Develop a plan to recruit and keep high-quality teachers
• Engage the business community in schools by convening an advisory panel of business leaders
• Create a statewide student leadership development initiative
• Convene an annual education summit
• Link efforts to restructure the state’s work-force development with postsecondary education

Sebelius will attend most of next month’s public forums.