Topeka ? A commission studying ways to improve the Kansas court system will start taking suggestions from community leaders and the general public next week.

The 25-member commission, created by the Kansas Supreme Court, is holding 19 public sessions around the state beginning Monday afternoon in Norton.

The high court formed the commission to consider such issues as the number of court offices and their hours of operation. It will also look at using technology to reduce costs and increasing the court system’s flexibility in using staff.

In the public sessions, the commission will meet first with community leaders, then have a public meeting to take suggestions. The panel expects the sessions to last into June.

A full schedule is available on the Kansas judiciary’s website.