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In Lawrence schools, admin pay grew faster than teachers’ for years. Recent raises have started reversing the trend.
For four years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the gap between administrators’ salaries and teachers’ salaries in Lawrence Public Schools grew bigger and bigger. That trend has started reversing, but there’s still frustration about the gap.
MORE USD 497 BUDGET COVERAGE
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.
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.
Lawrence school district’s budget committee supports school closures, initial poll indicates
Closing a middle school and two or more elementary schools; sharing staff across high schools; and cutting some special education support positions were some of the top-ranked cost-cutting proposals that members of the Lawrence school district’s Budget and Program Evaluation Committee indicated they would support.
Longtime Lawrence school board member explains how district’s budget crisis has unfolded
Lawrence school board Vice President Shannon Kimball took the board commentary portion of Monday’s meeting as an opportunity to provide some insight into the history of USD 497’s funding woes.
Lawrence Public Schools considering closing several schools in proposed scenarios
Multiple school closings were proposed to the Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee Wednesday in an attempt to lessen an impending budget crisis.
Lawrence school board to hear COVID update, consider goals for cash reserves and more
The Lawrence school board — including two new members — on Monday will hear an update from the superintendent about COVID-19, consider recommendations for contingency funds in the district’s budget and more.
Organizers promise to keep fighting for gymnastics program in Lawrence public schools
Supporters of Firelions gymnastics at the Lawrence school district’s two high schools have ramped up efforts to keep the program afloat with the launch of an online petition. They’re also vowing to make “a large presence” at the school board meeting Monday.
Lawrence school board vets ideas to fill multimillion-dollar budget gap
Many questions and few answers came out of the Lawrence school board’s review of potential cost-savings ideas Monday during a special meeting to discuss the district’s budget deficit.
Lawrence school board to hold special meeting to discuss budget-cut proposals
Inside 300 pages of cost-trimming ideas for the Lawrence school board’s consideration are proposals to combine low-enrollment classes at high schools, restructure middle schools and more.
Proposals to help balance Lawrence school district budget include school closures, reductions of positions
The public got its first glimpse of the details behind more than two dozen budget-trimming ideas for the Lawrence school district Wednesday afternoon.
Lawrence school board hears details about budget impact, support for gymnastics; approves legislative priorities and more
Budget cuts were the central focus of district staff as well as the public commenters who called for reductions of administrators’ six-digit salaries at Monday’s Lawrence school board meeting.
Lawrence school board approves 2-year retention incentive pay plan for staff, a new budget and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved retention payments for staff, discussed budget priorities and quarantine measures, and more.