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Lawrence school board adds Indigenous Peoples Day as paid holiday, hears NASS report
Lawrence school board members approved calendars for 2026-2028 that include Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday the same evening that they received a report on Native American Student Services.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence author collaborates with ledger artist on children’s book celebrating Kiowa storytelling
Collaborating to tell a family’s true story has connected two local creatives who didn’t previously know each other in a way that’s everlasting like the Kiowa people.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Grant will allow Lawrence Public Schools to launch a bakery at Pinckney
The Lawrence school district has earned a $100,000 federal grant that will fund a bakery at Community Connections at Pinckney.
First Boundary Advisory Committee meeting postponed to September
The first meeting of the Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee will not be held until September, the district announced Tuesday evening.
Billy Mills Middle School student allegedly made comment about having gun; threat deemed not credible
Lawrence police have determined there’s no credible threat after a Billy Mills Middle School student allegedly made a comment in class about bringing a gun to school.
Lawrence school board approves maximum budget for 2024-25, including slight property tax rate increase
Property taxes will slightly rise with the increase of the Lawrence school district’s mill levy this year, which the board initially approved Monday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district committee to begin reviewing high school boundaries; consultant will have smaller role
A committee on Wednesday will begin analyzing Lawrence’s high school boundaries, and the consultant previously contracted to facilitate the work will have a reduced role after school board members voiced concerns.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider slight property tax rate increase
Lawrence school board members on Monday will vote on a maximum mill levy for this year’s budget that would increase property taxes.
Julie Boyle / Contributed photo
Free State High School teacher earns Outstanding Kansas Biology Teacher of the Year award
Free State High School biology teacher Julie Schwarting has earned a Kansas biology teacher of the year award from a cohort in her field who commended her community-based environmentalism.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Citing ‘miscommunication,’ district mows native plants, vegetable swales in Free State garden down to dirt
Multiple instances of mowing and other damage to Free State High School’s outdoor learning space is giving educators in that space the impression that the Lawrence school district is prioritizing looks over learning.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s new interim superintendent is hopeful that ‘we’re turning the corner together’
Lawrence’s newly hired interim superintendent, Jeanice Swift, said she’s got an inkling that this year will be a new leaf for the district.
Second-year Lawrence teachers given Horizon Awards for outstanding work
The Lawrence school district has recognized two new Lawrence teachers for their exemplary work with students.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Parents petition to ban cell phones in Lawrence schools
More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board approves interim superintendent contract
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a contract with Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift, including a salary of $194,482 for 10 months.
Superintendent salaries: How does Lawrence stack up compared to other Kansas districts?
As the Lawrence school board is poised to approve an interim superintendent contract with a salary equivalent to $235,000 over a full year, here’s a glimpse at how superintendent pay compares across several districts.
Lawrence school board to vote on contract with interim superintendent candidate
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving a contract to hire an outside candidate as the 2024-25 interim superintendent, with a salary of $194K for 10 months.





