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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Superintendent: Lawrence schools plan welcome center, seek to boost staff pay and more updates
A district welcome center, an expansion of a program to help high schoolers earn KU credits, and “streamlining” to ensure the district’s pay for staff members is competitive are all in the works, according to the Lawrence Public Schools superintendent.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board OKs $4.16M for Centennial building to host flexible high school option
The Lawrence school board on Monday voted to approve bids totaling about $4.16 million to ready the former Centennial Elementary School building to serve as a new flexible high school option.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Public Schools delays public records for months, wants $13K for fulfillment
The Lawrence school district has delayed responding for months to an open record request related to its silent switch from one AI monitoring software to another. It’s also asking for thousands of dollars to produce the records.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider about $4.16M to prep Centennial building for new program
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider bids totaling about $4.16 million to ready the former Centennial Elementary School building to serve as a new flexible high school option.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
Logan Pierson / Lawrence Times
Lawrence High powwow highlights young dancers’ self-expression, provides community fellowship
The Lawrence High School Intertribal Club Powwow on Saturday gave young dancers a place to express themselves and provided attendees a space for fellowship following recent ICE detentions in town.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to meet with few agenda items, including some capital projects
The Lawrence school board will open its Monday meeting with executive sessions, followed by a sparse agenda that includes a few capital improvement projects and a settlement agreement.
Lawrence school board adds Indigenous Peoples Day as paid holiday, hears NASS report
Lawrence school board members approved calendars for 2026-2028 that include Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday the same evening that they received a report on Native American Student Services.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear report on Native American Student Services; no public comment planned
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear an annual report on Native American Student Services. Also, for the fourth meeting in a row, there will be no general public comment.
Contributed image
Lawrence High School student artists shine in regional competition, advance to nationals
Lawrence High School students are celebrating success in a prestigious regional art competition, and many of their works will advance to the national level.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence students, teachers celebrated at Ovation! talent show; creator returns to perform
Community members gathered Sunday evening for the 10th annual Ovation! talent show, spotlighting the showmanship of Lawrence Public Schools students.
Lawrence school board approves tax incentive for downtown development, defers approval of calendars
The Lawrence school board on Tuesday agreed to a tax incentive for developments at the former Reuter buildings and deferred a vote on the district’s 2026-28 calendars to look into adding a paid holiday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Extreme cold temperatures persist; Lawrence Public Schools and more to be closed Monday
Lawrence Public Schools will be closed Monday as snow has passed through the area but extremely cold temperatures and wind chills as low as 22° below will continue for another day. Find details and more closures here.
Lawrence school board to consider tax incentive for downtown development, approving 2026-28 calendars
The Lawrence school board on Tuesday will consider approving a tax incentive for developments at the former Reuter buildings, multiyear district calendars for 2026-27 and 2027-28, and a 4.5% increase to preschool tuition.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
New nontraditional Lawrence high school will offer flexible schedules; small staff will instruct
Choice Campus at Centennial will open in August with one main goal: getting Lawrence high schoolers to graduate, one way or another.
Lawrence Junior Youth, Youth of the Year to be selected at a single ceremony
Judges will select the 2026 Lawrence Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year in a joint ceremony next week when candidates deliver speeches to family, friends and community members.





