By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new commission charged with recommending a plan for universal pre-kindergarten in the city of Philadelphia has begun its work.

The new commission's job:  to recommend ways the city can pay for high-quality pre-K for 40,000 eligible three- and four-year-olds.

Philadelphia voters in May approved the formation of a seventeen-member commission to recommend a pre-K expansion and funding plan.

Today, Mayor Nutter publicly introduced the panel after its first meeting at City Hall.

"Even with proposed state increases, there will still be thousands of three- and four-year-olds without access to high-quality pre-K," the mayor said.

Commission co-chair Sharon Easterling says the panel will gather public input this fall, and will  submit a draft funding plan by January.

A final report to the mayor and City Council is due in April.