Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee on Wednesday in a preliminary vote advanced a budget scenario suggesting a four-day school week, closing two elementary schools and a middle school, and cutting a district administration position.
Frustration abounds as a community board created to advise the Lawrence Police Department and oversee complaints has made little progress in more than a year, and a new work group has yet to meet. Also, three board members have resigned.
Lawrence and Douglas County community members are invited to a meeting Thursday and an open house on Jan. 30 to discuss a new draft of wind energy regulations.
Lawrence schools are expected to steadily decrease in enrollment over the next five years, causing district budget concerns as well as questions about the future of the Lawrence community as a whole.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend fee increases for some facilities and programs but opposed new admission fees for rec centers. But staff will likely move forward with all new and increased fees anyway.
Lawrence folks who want to continue using the city’s recreation centers and Prairie Park Nature Center will likely need to budget for a new expense starting next month.
The consulting firm hired by the Lawrence school district will report its progress to the school board on Monday, including projections of declining enrollment and a possible budget scenario that would close three schools next year.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
When a person requests a copy of an electronic public record under the Kansas Open Records Act, public agencies must provide that copy in electronic format, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Members of an advisory board pressed Friday for more input, transparency and measurable outcomes within a process slated to appropriate $843,000 this year from the city’s special alcohol tax revenue.
BIPOC community members are invited to share how climate issues affect their communities as part of a session with the Douglas County sustainability team.
