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Lawrence school board approves budget with property tax increase, solar energy pilot project
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a budget that will increase property taxes and agreed to move forward with a solar energy project that staff said will pay off in the long term.
MORE USD 497 BUDGET COVERAGE

Lawrence school board to vote on budget with mill levy increase, consider solar energy proposal
The Lawrence school board on Monday will vote on the district’s final 2023-24 budget, which would increase property taxes, and hear a proposal for a solar energy project.

Lawrence school board approves district’s maximum budget for publication; hearings for final approval set
Property taxes might increase as a result of the Lawrence school district’s increased mill levy, which the Lawrence school board gave initial approval Monday.

Lawrence school board to consider budget that would raise property taxes, hear report on social media addiction
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving the district’s proposed maximum budget for the upcoming year, which would increase property taxes.

Tentative contract for Lawrence school district teachers provides raises for all, stipend for SPED teachers
All teachers in the Lawrence school district will receive raises next year under a tentative agreement between the district and its teachers union. The contract will also catch up teachers who did not receive raises in past years and provide additional financial support to special education teachers.

Lawrence school district will likely see more state funding, but other factors complicate budget process
The Lawrence school district is projecting that an increase to per-pupil funding from the state will add $4 million to next year’s budget, but other factors could offset that increase.

Lawrence school board to hear budget update
The Lawrence school board on Monday will review updates on the district’s budget for next year. No details were available as of Sunday morning.

Lawrence school board to consider selling land to affordable housing group, paying contractor more
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider selling surplus property to Tenants to Homeowners, and increasing payment to the contractor the district hired to help with budget planning.

Lawrence middle schools hold Model UN conference amid program’s uncertain future
Lawrence middle schoolers held a citywide Model United Nations conference Friday as questions about the program’s future continue, following the school board’s approval of schedule and curriculum changes.

Lawrence school board approves restructuring middle school schedules, changes to curriculum
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved middle school schedule changes, including creating a seven-period school day for students and other changes that will affect programs such as physical education, Future City and zero-hour choir.

Lawrence school district leaders outline budget challenges for crowd at Chamber luncheon
Inadequate state funding for public schools and special education has greatly contributed to the Lawrence school district’s current budget crisis and a need to consolidate schools, district leaders told the crowd at a Chamber luncheon Wednesday.

Public hearings on two Lawrence elementary school closures scheduled
The Lawrence school district announced Monday morning it will hold public hearings at the end of March on the possible closures of Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools.

Members of Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee share frustrations with process, reflections
By the end of a five-month process of analyzing potential budget cuts for next year, some members of the Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee felt facilitators and district leaders lacked transparency and dismissed their ideas. Others felt the committee achieved its purpose.