LATEST
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240722-Lawrence-school-board-2.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Lawrence school district administrators say cell phone ban in draft handbook was a mistake; board approves teacher raises
A districtwide cell phone ban was included in a draft of an updated student handbook, but Lawrence school district administrators said Monday it was a mistake, and high school students would still be permitted to use their phones outside of classes.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/School-board-members-2023-vacancy-min.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Meet the 8 applicants seeking a seat on the Lawrence school board
Eight people have applied for a vacant Lawrence school board seat, and whoever is selected will serve through January 2026. Meet the applicants and find out why they want to serve.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230614-LEA-meeting-2.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Tentative contract for Lawrence school district teachers provides raises for all, stipend for SPED teachers
All teachers in the Lawrence school district will receive raises next year under a tentative agreement between the district and its teachers union. The contract will also catch up teachers who did not receive raises in past years and provide additional financial support to special education teachers.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230612-School-bd-1.jpg?fit=768%2C400&ssl=1)
Lawrence school district will likely see more state funding, but other factors complicate budget process
The Lawrence school district is projecting that an increase to per-pupil funding from the state will add $4 million to next year’s budget, but other factors could offset that increase.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220627-School-board-5.jpg?fit=757%2C438&ssl=1)
Lawrence school board to hear budget update
The Lawrence school board on Monday will review updates on the district’s budget for next year. No details were available as of Sunday morning.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230608-PAL-CWA-rally-8.jpg?fit=758%2C438&ssl=1)
Lawrence school district’s classified staff union accepts $2 hourly base pay increase
The Lawrence school district and classified staff union, PAL-CWA, came to an agreement Thursday afternoon that each classified staff member will receive a $2.12 base increase to their hourly pay next year, falling far short of the union’s requests.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230531-Lawrence-school-bd-1.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Applications now open for vacant Lawrence school board seat
Those who are interested in serving out a 2.5-year term on the Lawrence school board can now apply for the position.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rials-edgecombe-min.png?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
School district announces interim principals for Lawrence High School, West Middle School
The Lawrence school district has announced that Quentin Rials will serve as interim principal of Lawrence High School in the upcoming school year, and Therese Brink Edgecomb will take over that role at West Middle School.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230531-Lawrence-school-bd-1.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Lawrence school board to begin process to fill vacant seat
The Lawrence school board will soon begin seeking an applicant to fill a vacant seat following a board member’s recent resignation.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/202305-Sunflower-Shy38-fundraiser-10.jpg?fit=758%2C438&ssl=1)
Sunflower Elementary artist-entrepreneurs raise $2K for animal sanctuary with jewelry sale
As students across Lawrence wrapped up their final projects of the school year, a class of Sunflower Elementary first graders put a bow on their service learning project to benefit rescued animals.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220822-School-bd-16.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Lawrence school board to hold special meeting to discuss how to fill vacant seat
The Lawrence school board will meet Wednesday evening to discuss the process to fill the seat of board member Kay Emerson, who on Friday announced her plans to resign.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220822-School-bd-2.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Lawrence school board member Kay Emerson to resign
Lawrence school board member Kay Emerson is resigning from the board, she announced via Facebook on Friday.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230524-FSHS-graduation-36.jpg?fit=657%2C438&ssl=1)
Free State High School graduates challenged to find ‘clarity in moments of darkness’
As the sun set behind the Free State High School press box on Wednesday night, the light created a backdrop nearly as beautiful as graduate speaker Solie Edison’s speech to his fellow graduates.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230524-Pinckney-8.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Last day of school brings emotions for Pinckney community as school closes
For the Pinckney Elementary School community, the last day of school this year really does mean the last day of the school.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230524-Broken-Arrow-PM-12-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1)
Broken Arrow community members reminisce, mourn last day in the school
As the school community embraced, cried and celebrated all at once Wednesday morning, they carried a common message: We will always be Broken Arrow Eagles.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230522-School-bd-1.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Lawrence school district will sell land to Tenants to Homeowners, start process to sell East Heights
The Lawrence school board on Monday voted to sell surplus property to Tenants to Homeowners as well as begin the process to sell East Heights and transfer the student programs held there to one of the elementary schools that will soon close.