2018 KS Governor's race: on Education

Laura Kelly: Expand pre-K programs; fully fund our K-12 schools

Kelly marked opening of fall classes in Kansas public schools by pointing to her quest to make education of Kansans from early childhood through college the state's top priority. "And, sadly, for the past seven years, Sam Brownback and Kris Kobach have let them down," Kelly said. "Instead of focusing on doing the minimum, we will plan and innovate. We will expand pre-K programs, fully fund our K-12 schools and add a cost of living index to keep us out of court. We will also invest more in career and technical programs."

The 2018 Legislature and Gov. Jeff Colyer agreed to raise state aid to public education by $525 million over five years.

Kris Kobach: End in-state tuition for illegal immigrants

Only 686 illegal immigrants took advantage of the in-state tuition program in 2016, mostly for community college.

Wink Hartman: Solemn state responsibility to ensure education resources

Carl Brewer: Same resources for urban/rural schools as wealthy districts

Several of the event's attendees brought up inequality in education and pressed Brewer on his plans to fix it. Brewer, who noted he attended all-black schools in Wichita as a child, said the state needs to ensure both urban and rural schools have the same resources as wealthier districts. He promised to release a school funding plan after the Legislature acts on the issue later this session and to visit every corner of the state during the campaign.