The Lawrence school board is seeking community members to serve on the Boundary Advisory Committee, which will be tasked this year with examining boundaries of the district’s two high schools.
School board President Kelly Jones has directed the BAC this fall to “examine high school boundaries to better balance enrollment numbers and the socio-economic balance of enrollments across Free State and Lawrence High Schools.”
Jones spoke during the board’s June 10 meeting about her concerns about Lawrence High’s enrollment falling well below Free State’s.
Free State and Lawrence high schools’ boundaries currently lie along 15th Street, with students residing north of 15th attending FSHS, and south of 15th, LHS.
“The historic 15th Street boundary line may have made sense when it was drawn; however, the city growth patterns have shifted and we need to evaluate boundary lines with a continued equity focus, per the committee’s charge,” Jones said at the June meeting. “And additionally, I think it will help us with staffing issues so that we can create and better ensure equitable experiences between the high schools.”
The BAC also includes school board members, administrators, and representatives of the teachers union and classified staff union representatives, City of Lawrence’s Planning and Development Office, First Student and Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, according to the district.
Those who are interested in serving on the BAC can apply via the Google Form at this link. The district asks for applications to be submitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.
The application includes meeting dates of 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23 and Nov. 20. All are Wednesdays.
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