To the editor:

I don’t know what upsets me more: the announcement that the Kansas University athletic director makes twice as much as the chancellor or the letter to the editor running down the quality of public education. Both show a lack of regard for the value of public education to our community, state and country.

The athletic director’s salary is mainly paid by private donations. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the people making those gifts to the university thought as much about the professors, students and classroom facilities as they do about athletics? Really, what is KU? An educational institution or a place for semipro sports teams?

And although I agree with the high school student that too much time is being spent preparing for tests, there are many opportunities for high-achieving students to take challenging classes. Furthermore, our society cannot afford to “cease supporting” less successful students. Our tax dollars WILL pay for our failures in education: more police, courts, judges, probation officers, prisons, etc.

It’s sad that our government officials (and the citizens who elect them) don’t properly fund these “great” ideas like No Child Left Behind.

Jane Tusten,

Lawrence