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August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence cuts some employees, facing potential $1M shortfall
The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, facing a budget shortfall that could rise to more than $1 million, has eliminated several positions, the organization announced. Current programs and services will continue as normal, however.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence cuts some employees, facing potential $1M shortfall
The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, facing a budget shortfall that could rise to more than $1 million, has eliminated several positions, the organization announced. Current programs and services will continue as normal, however.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Lawrence drama teacher earns Lied Center IMPACT Award
Lawrence teacher Trish Averill Neuteboom has been named as a 2024-25 Lied Center IMPACT Award recipient for her dedication to arts education.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Cell phones less visible in high school classes under new Lawrence school district policy
Lawrence school district administrators say visible cell phone use in class has gone down in both high schools since the new policy took effect, but engagement with younger students requires continued attention.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district facing underfunded special education, enrollment decrease
The Lawrence school district is bracing for another year of underfunded special education from the state while the federal government picks systems apart.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district looking to add preschool classes at neighborhood schools
Preschool classrooms will be added to two Lawrence elementary schools next year, with the district’s vision to make enough seats for 3- and 4-year-olds accessible. The district also has plans to expand other programming.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district reports state and federal aid setbacks; board to hear budget update
The Lawrence school district may have to return funds already spent on security equipment, among other changes to state and federal funding the school board will hear about on Monday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
USDA grant funding for farms, wineries and Lawrence school district bakery frozen per federal order
The future is murky for a Lawrence school district bakery project as well as projects at four local farms and vineyards after their grant funding was frozen this week under orders from Trump and DOGE.
Prairie Park parent calls for more support, transparency from district while community grieves
A Prairie Park Elementary School parent has requested an external audit, broader transparency and expanded parent support from the district after allegations of sexual assault by a former school speech pathologist came to light.
Lawrence school board approves 2025-26 calendar
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved the 2025-26 calendar that mostly aligns elementary, middle and high schools, increases instructional time, and adopts a new approach to inclement weather days.
Lawrence school district to add makeup time into school days, extra days at end of year
The Lawrence school district will make up for nine inclement weather days this year by tacking minutes onto the end of school days and adding a day and a half day to the end of the year.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board approves contract with new superintendent
Lawrence school board members on Monday approved a contract with Jeanice Swift to serve as the permanent superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools.
Lawrence school board to hear update on snow day makeup time, consider approving 2025-26 calendar
The Lawrence school board on Monday will learn where the district is with its instructional hours following several snow days and consider approving the 2025-26 district calendar.
Family suing Lawrence Public Schools over alleged sexual assault of child
The family of one of several alleged victims of sexual assault by a former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist is suing the district for the pain and mental anguish the child suffered.
Deerfield Elementary, district building closed because of power outage; phone lines restored at all other buildings
Deerfield Elementary School and the Lawrence school district offices are closed Wednesday because of a neighborhood power outage. Phone lines are now working at all district buildings except for those two.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence police now say former Prairie Park Elementary speech pathologist had 8 alleged victims
Lawrence police are asking prosecutors to file more charges against the former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist charged with sexually abusing a student, now alleging that he had eight victims over a span of two days.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district committee requests data for boundary discussions to resume in fall
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday requested more data to better inform their discussions of elementary, middle and high school boundaries, set to resume in the fall.
