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Lawrence school board member denounces harassment inside and outside the board room
A Lawrence school board member on Monday said she won’t be silenced by incessant harassment mostly directed at women on the board.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS

Lawrence school district names next Free State assistant principal and athletic director
The Lawrence school district has named Jason Schroeder as the next assistant principal/athletic director of Free State High School.

No new business, reports on Lawrence school board meeting agenda
The agenda for the Lawrence school board’s meeting on Monday lacks any regular business items and only includes opening items, the consent agenda and public comment.

City of Lawrence not accepting new crossing guard requests for 2025-26
The City of Lawrence will not take requests for new crossing guard locations during the 2025-26 school year as working group members continue to evaluate 2024-25 requests.

Free State journalism teacher wins KSPA award for excellent new adviser
Free State High School journalism adviser Jared Shuff has been recognized by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association for his zeal for building a strong program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.