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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Superintendent: Lawrence schools plan welcome center, seek to boost staff pay and more updates
A district welcome center, an expansion of a program to help high schoolers earn KU credits, and “streamlining” to ensure the district’s pay for staff members is competitive are all in the works, according to the Lawrence Public Schools superintendent.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Superintendent: Lawrence schools plan welcome center, seek to boost staff pay and more updates
A district welcome center, an expansion of a program to help high schoolers earn KU credits, and “streamlining” to ensure the district’s pay for staff members is competitive are all in the works, according to the Lawrence Public Schools superintendent.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
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.
Lawrence school board to hear update on snow day makeup time, consider approving 2025-26 calendar
The Lawrence school board on Monday will learn where the district is with its instructional hours following several snow days and consider approving the 2025-26 district calendar.
Family suing Lawrence Public Schools over alleged sexual assault of child
The family of one of several alleged victims of sexual assault by a former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist is suing the district for the pain and mental anguish the child suffered.
Deerfield Elementary, district building closed because of power outage; phone lines restored at all other buildings
Deerfield Elementary School and the Lawrence school district offices are closed Wednesday because of a neighborhood power outage. Phone lines are now working at all district buildings except for those two.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence police now say former Prairie Park Elementary speech pathologist had 8 alleged victims
Lawrence police are asking prosecutors to file more charges against the former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist charged with sexually abusing a student, now alleging that he had eight victims over a span of two days.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district committee requests data for boundary discussions to resume in fall
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday requested more data to better inform their discussions of elementary, middle and high school boundaries, set to resume in the fall.
Lawrence school district announces next equity and engagement leader, Quail Run principal
The Lawrence school district has announced Tina Mitchell as the next director of equity and student and family engagement, and Sara Murray as the next principal of Quail Run Elementary School.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
It’s official: Jeanice Swift named 10th superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools
Lawrence school board members on Monday gave quick approval to hire Jeanice Kerr Swift as the district’s next superintendent.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to take formal vote to hire superintendent; general public comment moved to end of meeting
The Lawrence school board on Monday will take a formal vote to hire Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift to the permanent position, and general public comment has been moved to the end of the meeting.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board names interim superintendent to permanent position
The Lawrence school board has selected current Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift as the permanent superintendent.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Douglas County high schoolers invited to apply to Lawrence Juneteenth writing contest
The Lawrence Juneteenth organization is hoping to empower youth voices through a creative contest. Winners will be featured at this year’s celebration.
