Post last updated at 11:19 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1:
The Lawrence school board will have a special meeting Thursday to consider giving raises to district administrators and interview a third finalist for interim superintendent.
The district is proposing an increase of 4.08% to the administrative salary pool, for $245,520 in total increased cost.
The board has recently approved salary pool increases of 6.27% for classified staff — a 99-cent per hour raise — and 4.08% to the certified salary pool, for $1,400 increases to the base annual salaries for teachers. Information in the meeting agenda did not indicate the actual amounts of raises or averages per administrator.
Board members will meet in an executive session, or closed-door meeting, to interview a third finalist candidate for interim superintendent, Jeanice Swift.
The interim superintendent will serve for the 2024-25 year while board members search for a permanent replacement.
“A 36-year veteran educator, Dr. Swift has served as an educational leadership consultant since January, supporting PreK-12 education leaders, leadership teams, and board trustees,” according to a news release from the district. “She previously served the Ann Arbor Public Schools as superintendent for over a decade. In Colorado Springs School District 11, she served as assistant superintendent, executive director, principal, assistant principal, resource coach, and secondary English and Spanish teacher for 15 years. She also taught ten years in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford School District in Texas. Dr. Swift earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, her master’s at the University of Colorado, and a doctorate at the University of Denver.”
“… In the Ann Arbor schools, Swift’s equity-centered leadership focused on student opportunities and achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement,” the release continued. “The district made noteworthy gains in student outcomes, particularly among traditionally underserved students. Improvements included increases in graduation rates among vulnerable students, reductions in disciplinary rates, as well as a continued focus on improving support for all students.”
Superintendent Anthony Lewis’ last day will be Aug. 9. He was selected to lead Durham, North Carolina public schools.
Board members interviewed the first finalist, current Deputy Superintendent Larry Englebrick, during a special meeting on Monday. They plan to interview a second candidate, Thomas Ahart, of Iowa, Wednesday evening.
Board members aim to fill the interim position by Aug. 12.
The board will meet starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.
Note: This post was updated to reflect corrected info from the school district.
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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
