Lawrence school board to consider replacement of band uniforms, legislative priorities and more

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The Lawrence school board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 at 110 McDonald Drive. Masks are required due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key points — the board will:

Consider a recommendation to purchase Lawrence High School band uniforms for $116,000.

Context: The board reviewed its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) during its Feb. 22 board meeting, including $125,000 for the purchase. It approved the plan on March 22.

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The uniforms are on an 11-12 year rotation schedule, according to a memo in the agenda packet. Current uniforms were bought in 2009. The purchase would come with a 12-year guarantee to be free from material and workmanship defects and includes a 4% savings if the entire order is prepaid at the time of placement.

The CIP also lists an estimated cost of $125,000 for band uniforms at Free State High School during the 2022-23 school year.


Consider approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center for collaboration on the Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities (WRAP) program for the 2021-22 school year.

Context: A memo in the agenda packet notes the MOU has been updated for consistency with WRAP program agreements in other Douglas County school districts. The city of Lawrence will discontinue WRAP funding in the Lawrence school district, where the program operates in six elementaries, all four middle schools and both high schools.


Consider the approval of a 10-year MOU with Community Children’s Center (CCC).

Context: The MOU outlines the responsibilities of both parties for the district to lease space to CCC. As previously reported, CCC has received a $582,000 grant to fund a multi-year pilot project for an early childhood center at the repurposed Kennedy Elementary building. If approved, the agreement would start Feb. 1, 2022, or sooner.


Consider approving an MOU with Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and accepting a $107,000 donation in grant funds.

Context: BGC of Lawrence is the recipient of grant funds to update and secure BGC entrances in five district elementary buildings.

As part of the consent agenda, the MOUs and band uniforms will be considered with other items in one vote unless a board member or the superintendent requests an item be removed and voted on separately.

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• Consider final draft approval of the district’s legislative priorities.

Context: The draft sets forth these priorities for the upcoming 2022 Kansas legislative session:

  • Support related to pandemic recovery, graduation requirements, personalized educational opportunities, broadband access, post-secondary success and increased transportation funding for students.
  • Additional funding in social-emotional support for staff and students. This priority also urges the Legislature “to review and eliminate the use of Native American mascots, imagery and names by educational institutions and sports teams, unless used by a tribal school or educational institution.”
  • Support nonpartisan spring elections for school board members and the role of an independent judiciary.
  • Support equitable and adequate public school funding in Kansas tax policy and school finance formula. This priority specifically addresses funding related to special education, mental health, universal pre-K, before- and after-school programs and at-risk services.
  • Protect and maintain authority given to Kansas State Board of Education and locally elected school boards in areas such as curriculum, graduation, financial management and more.
  • Support recruitment and retention of highly qualified and diverse teachers, administrators and support staff.

Find the full board meeting agenda and related documents here.

Watch the live board meeting via livestream here or tune in to Midco Channel 26 at 6 p.m. Monday. To sign up to share public comments in person or via WebEx, email publiccomment@usd497.org before 6 p.m. Monday. Patrons will receive a link to join the meeting by phone or videoconferencing.

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Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.

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