The Lawrence school district expects some large class sizes will continue in the 2025-26 year while enrollment is on the decline and more teachers are needed.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving classroom ratios and enrollment capacities for the 2025-26 year. General public comment is not on the board’s agenda.
Lawrence Public Schools gained five students through open enrollment but lost at least 20 more to the three districts closest to the city.
Kansas school districts showed caution in allowing transfers through a new open enrollment option that lets students attend school outside their home district, data presented Wednesday to the Kansas State Board of Education showed.
The Lawrence school district will have approximately 100 spots available for students transferring from outside the district, and it will lower its student-to-teacher classroom ratios for the 2024-25 school year.
A state law passed in 2022 goes into effect this year and lets Kansas students attend schools outside the districts where they live, as long as there is space available. Some districts have begun posting the number of slots they’ll have open for out-of-district students.
A new state law that goes into effect next fall lets Kansas students attend schools outside the districts where they live, as long as there is space available.
Open enrollment in Kansas public schools will worsen existing inequities and funding issues as well as diminish the importance of voters’ representation on local school boards, some local leaders say.
