In this Jan. 23, 2014 file photo Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, left, leans in to listen to Xen Hesse as the two each lunch at Roesland Elementary School in Roeland Park, Kan.

Topeka ? Kansans responded to Gov. Sam Brownback’s request for input on school finance with scores of ideas and observations, ranging from a substitute teacher who recommended dropping school sports to another person who floated a sales tax for education. Others had less diplomatic advice for the governor.

Brownback issued his call in August and accepted input through November to a special email address. The governor’s office opened the emails to inspection on Friday, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

The missives came ahead of a legislative session at which lawmakers are looking to craft a new school finance formula. The Legislature scrapped the state’s long-time formula in 2015 in favor of a temporary block grant system that expires after this year. The Kansas Supreme Court is expected to rule in the coming weeks on the adequacy of education funding.

It’s unclear exactly how many emails were sent to the governor’s office, but it easily included hundreds of pages arranged in piles in the governor’s office suite, where reporters riffled through the papers.

In a statement, Brownback said educators, parents and students submitted quality proposals.

“Input crossed the political spectrum bringing forth ideas like educational choice, putting more money in the classroom, rewarding teachers for excellent work, additional funding streams, innovative programs like Kansas Reading Roadmap, and greater emphasis on early childhood education,” Brownback said.

Karla Wheeler, a mother of three and a substitute teacher, suggested moving sports outside the school system.

“Let the developers and business community provide the sport venues for our kids. It’s not the state’s responsibility,” she wrote. “The drain financially is enormous (and) we are transporting, insuring, staffing and managing our athletes in the schools.”

Steve Webster, of Great Bend, raised the possibility of a sales tax to fund education. Property taxes are currently the primary revenue source associated with education. A one-cent sales tax would include everyone in helping pay for education, Webster wrote.

“In my opinion education is an investment in our state that everyone benefits from. It’s a cost that I do not mind paying my fair share,” Webster wrote. “P.S. What was wrong with the old per pupil formula? It satisfied the courts and it was easy to understand.”

Michele Brewer, of Overland Park, urged Brownback to raise property taxes and asked the governor to review tax breaks for businesses.

“Fully fund the schools,” Brewer wrote. “Raise taxes for homeowners and businesses.”

Tucker Johnston, who identified himself as a concerned Kansan, was direct in his approach, calling Brownback’s “tax cut fiasco” a disaster. “Totally preventable,” he added.

“You want ideas on how to take care of the school funding problem?” Johnston asked. “Step down and let a QUALIFIED person be governor!”