Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Friday said she would prefer that communities, such as Lawrence, not try to increase the local sales tax to enhance public school education.

“I certainly would prefer that we step up to the table as a state and not have individual communities try to figure out how they are going to fund schools on their own.

“I do believe that it’s a state responsibility,” Sebelius said during a news conference.

Lawrence school officials are considering a sales tax increase to help public schools, patterned after a similar levy in Johnson County.

That Johnson County sales tax increase is under legal attack from school districts that allege it creates inequities in school funding across the state.

Last Saturday, more than 300 people marched in Lawrence demanding more funding for public schools.

Sebelius didn’t give any hints as to what she will propose for school funding in the 2004 legislative session that starts in January.

She said she will have a better idea about what she wants after her education task force completes a series of public forums next month.