Some time — the sooner the better — Kansans must decide what kind of educational system they want for the state and its school-age children.

What is the state’s responsibility in providing “adequate” funding for K-12 schools and state-aided community colleges, vocational schools and universities? As an aside, are Kansans content to settle for “adequate” support or do they place sufficient importance on education that they support funding at a level that’s something more than just adequate?

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What factors will influence Kansans, state legislators or the governor as they determine the level of support they think is appropriate for education?

An increasing number of schools within Kansas University are imposing surcharges, called “differential tuition,” on top of the normal fee schedules in order to provide “extras” or even meet basic needs because state funding has been reduced to the point it does not provide many of the tools needed by students and faculty to deliver a high-level, stimulating academic environment.

KU has imposed hefty tuition hikes on its students the past three years as part of a five-year plan that will double tuition for Kansas residents. Chances are a new three- or four-year plan of tuition increases will be initiated soon after the five-year money-raising plan is completed.

It is great that most of the tuition increases have been supported by the students, demonstrating their desire to improve the academic scene at KU. They are volunteering to pay more to go to school at KU and apparently have convinced their parents it is important to provide increased private funding for their children’s schooling.

But is this going to be the pattern for years to come? Will state support continue to decline, with more and more funding responsibility being placed on the shoulders of students and their families?

Just how much can Kansas students and parents afford? School officials are quick to say a college education at KU remains a real bargain, about in the middle of the Big 12 schools. This may sound good and be the case, but how much is too much for students and parents?

Are the surcharges that are being added to students in most KU schools likely to grow even higher in the years to come?

KU and the other five four-year colleges under the Kansas Board of Regents used to be called state universities, but, in fact, today they are merely state-aided universities. Is that what Kansans want?

Is anyone going to speak up and say enough is enough? Do Kansans want truly outstanding universities or are they willing to accept mediocrity in the entire education program from pre-kindergarten to universities?

Is there any financial ceiling at which students and parents say they really can’t afford the higher costs? And how do taxpayers know whether their sons and daughters are really getting a top-flight education? Just where does Kansas stand in academic excellence in comparison with other conference schools and their designated peer institutions?

Are school administrators squeezing every penny out of every dollar? When vacancies occur at KU, are they being filled by people that are equal or, preferably, even more skilled than the people they replace? Or are convenience and money the name of the game at KU and other regents universities? Take the easy way out, find someone for a lower price, perhaps part-time, to fill the vacancy rather than seeking out and recruiting someone of superior ability?

Is the lack of funding a problem in attracting the superior faculty or is it a matter of laziness and taking the easiest route? Does KU need so many vice chancellors?

As noted above, when are Kansans going to make it clear what they expect in the way of financial support for education? Is quality a concern? How will state legislators address the challenge in the upcoming session? Why aren’t members of the regents more effective in their efforts to improve the state’s universities? Can KU officials, as well as officials at the other regents universities, make a more effective effort to outline and justify their needs? Can a truly respected group of nonuniversity people develop an effective sales effort? Some have talked about it, but their efforts seem limited and more for show and do not seem to have captured the interest of many.

At some time, some hard decisions have to be made about education funding in Kansas. People have to be willing to stand up and declare their thoughts and concerns. Some are opposed to added funding while others say it is essential and critical.

What’s it going to be? Is Kansas merely going to drift along with the tide with a majority of residents saying what we have today is just fine, or are a sufficient number of taxpayers so committed they will say Kansas will not grow and excel unless more attention is given to proper fiscal support for the schools?

Each day, or every legislative session, that passes without a clear-cut vision and plan for the state’s education future gives competitors in other states a greater opportunity to move ahead of Kansas.