Lawrence school board

The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education includes seven volunteer members who are elected to serve four-year terms.

Three or four of the board seats are up for election in every odd year. The next school board election will be in November 2027. If enough candidates file to necessitate a primary, that will occur in August 2027.

The board generally meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. Board meetings are also listed on the Lawrence Times events page.

Meetings are livestreamed on the USD 497 YouTube channel, and recordings of previous meetings can also be found on that page. They are also broadcast live on Midco channel 26.

Find school board meeting agendas and board policies at this link. Find Lawrence Times coverage of the school board at this link.

Contact the Lawrence school board:

Last updated: Jan. 13, 2026

GR Gordon-Ross, board president

785-330-1464
gr.gordon-ross@usd497.org
Facebook page
First elected in 2017; appointed to the board in 2022; elected in 2023

Bob Byers, board vice president

785-330-1918
bbyers@usd497.org
First elected in 2009, served through 2013; appointed to vacant seat from 2014-2015; appointed to vacant seat again in 2023; appointed to vacant seat again in 2026

Carole Cadue-Blackwood

785-330-1712
ccaduebl@usd497.org
Facebook page
First elected in 2019; reelected in 2023

Yolanda Franklin

785-330-2733
Yolanda.Franklin@usd497.org
Facebook page
First elected in 2023

Kelly Jones

785-330-2237
Kelly.Jones@usd497.org
Facebook page
First elected in 2017; reelected in 2021; reelected again in 2025

Shannon Kimball

785-330-1704
skimball@usd497.org
Facebook page
First elected in 2011; reelected in 2015 and 2019; reelected to a two-year term in 2023; reelected to a four-year term in 2025

Matt Lancaster

matt.lancaster@usd497.org
Bluesky page
First elected in 2025

Send all board members written correspondence via email at schoolboard@usd497.org, or via mail:
In care of Board Clerk at USD 497
110 McDonald Drive
Lawrence, KS 66044

To give public comment virtually during a board meeting, email PublicComment@usd497.org by 6 p.m. on the day of the meeting to sign up to participate by Webex video/phone conferencing.

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