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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board agrees to tax incentive for housing development; approves 2025-26 budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a tax incentive for a project to develop vacant land at the northwest corner of East Ninth and Delaware streets into apartments. The board also approved the district’s 2025-26 budget.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board agrees to tax incentive for housing development; approves 2025-26 budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a tax incentive for a project to develop vacant land at the northwest corner of East Ninth and Delaware streets into apartments. The board also approved the district’s 2025-26 budget.
MORE USD 497 BUDGET COVERAGE
Lawrence school district staff members working on budget cuts; report projects decline in enrollment statewide
Lawrence school district staff members are working to find budget cut solutions, according to the superintendent’s Monday update to the school board, and a report indicates that budget woes likely won’t be offset by enrollment increases in the next few years.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district has high ratio of administrators to students, study finds
A study from the Kansas Association of School Boards shows that of Kansas’ 18 largest districts by enrollment, Lawrence — with a K-12 enrollment of 11,150 and 20 central office administrators — has the third highest ratio, at 557.5 students per administrator.
USD 497 school board agenda materials
AVID ‘rebranding’ proposed in Lawrence school district’s budget cuts; here’s what that means
A proposed budget cut for the Lawrence schools’ AVID program would mean that one instructor at each high school would teach all AVID elective sections and train other teachers in AVID strategies.
Lawrence school board asks for budget cut list that minimizes harm to students
Lawrence school board members on Monday asked building leaders and administrators to provide them with a long list of potential budget cuts, prioritized by those least harmful to students, so they can make final decisions at their March 28 meeting.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to meet for special budget discussion
The Lawrence school board is set for a special meeting on Monday to discuss cost-cutting proposals as the district faces a budget shortfall estimated between $3.2 and $3.85 million.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to start meeting with budget work session
The Lawrence school board’s Monday meeting will begin with a 90-minute work session on the budget, then proceed to a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Molly Adams via Alicia Erickson/Contributed Photo
‘Caught off guard’: Lawrence community members share their concerns about school closure proposals
The Save Our Schools 497 group has hosted community meetings and rallies with more to come soon. But these efforts are just the top layer of organizers’ work, and the enthusiasm shown in these demonstrations is a veneer on top of deep concerns for many families.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district apologizes for inaccurate data shared on budget options
The Lawrence school district shared breakdowns of three cost-cutting options during a meeting Wednesday evening — but some of the data was inaccurate.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
3 options for Lawrence school district budget shortfall lean on school closures, major cuts to programs and staffing
Months of work by Lawrence school district committees has resulted in three cost-saving proposals formulated by district leadership. School closures remain on the table in two options, and significant reductions to staffing and programs in all scenarios would help fill a multimillion-dollar shortfall.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence school district’s budget committee to conduct equity analysis of cost-cutting proposals
As conversations continue about how the Lawrence school district can patch its budget shortfall, committee members will use this equity impact analysis tool to examine cost-cutting proposals.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board sets special meeting to consider school closures, other budget proposals
Lawrence school board President Erica Hill has called a special meeting of the board to discuss cost-cutting proposals, which could include school closures.
Sydney Farokhi Clark/Contributed
Sunset Hill librarian reflects on evolution of ‘dream job’ as budget cuts threaten its future
Fallon Farokhi strives to spark a love of learning for nearly 400 Sunset Hill students. With librarian positions facing possible cuts, it’s a tough time for her to imagine not doing her dream job in her dream district.
