LATEST
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 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.
MORE USD 497 BUDGET COVERAGE
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.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
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.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
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.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s boundary committee weighs impact of closing Hillcrest Elementary
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday discussed the possible closure of Hillcrest Elementary and its English as a Second Language program, as well as possible implications of the school board’s looming decision on budget cuts.
Lawrence school board members ask for clarity on proposed budget cuts, process used to reach them
As the Lawrence school board prepares to soon approve final budget cuts for next year, board members asked district administrators for more concrete details about plans for school closures and more.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
As Lawrence school closure talks loom, report identifies lowest-scoring district buildings
The Lawrence school district’s budget committee’s recommendation for the 2023-24 year remained unspecified at the end of the group’s final meeting Wednesday, but the committee did learn how elementary and middle schools scored on an assessment of district facilities.
Lawrence school board approves switching from MacBooks to iPads for high school students
Despite commentary from students and faculty that switching high school students from MacBooks to iPads would cause concerns about equity, efficiency and students’ ability to succeed, the Lawrence school board on Monday voted to approve the switch.
Lawrence school board to consider switching from laptops to iPads for high school students
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a high school technology switch to iPad tablets instead of MacBook laptops.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Community invited to public input sessions with Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee
Lawrence community members are invited to participate in two public input sessions this week to discuss a tentative school district budget proposal that includes four-day school weeks and closures of three schools.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee favors 4-day weeks, closing 3 buildings
The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee on Wednesday in a preliminary vote advanced a budget scenario suggesting a four-day school week, closing two elementary schools and a middle school, and cutting a district administration position.
