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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
La’Ron Williams clinches second place in Kansas Youth of the Year competition
Free State High School senior La’Ron Williams has won second place in the 2024 Boys & Girls Club Kansas Youth of the Year competition.
After school closures, Lawrence families grapple with fractured communities, future of school district
After the Lawrence school board voted to close two elementary schools last year, some local families now wrestling with doubts about their future in the district and the community.
Natasha Torkzaban/Lawrence Times
Transparency concerns loom at Lawrence school board meeting; district will follow new plan to make up snow days
The Lawrence school district will follow a revised plan for the district’s middle and high school students to make up time lost to snow days, though school board members voiced concerns about how district administrators handled the issue and communicated the plan to families.
Lawrence school district tentatively changes plans, will keep early dismissal Wednesdays for final quarter
Lawrence school district administrators and teachers union members have tentatively agreed to a plan to make up snow days by adding days to the end of the year instead of nixing early dismissal on Wednesdays for middle and high schoolers.
Nathan Kramer
Lawrence school district shares plan to make up snow day time; Free State students walk out in protest
The Lawrence school district will have no more early dismissal on Wednesdays this year for middle and high schoolers to compensate for snow days, leaving some high schoolers upset enough to walk out.
Lawrence school district names director of secondary schools, position that was previously cut
The Lawrence school district on Friday announced Waymond Ervin as the next director of secondary schools — a central administrative office position that was previously cut from the budget.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Community can learn about plans for STEAM middle school at upcoming open houses
The Lawrence school district will host two open house events for community members to learn more about its planned STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — themed middle school.
Woodlawn principal named to Lawrence school district administrative role that was previously cut
Jayci Roberson, principal of Woodlawn Elementary School, has been named the Lawrence school district’s next director of elementary services — an administrative position that was cut in March 2022.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board approves tax breaks for Turnhalle building revitalization; no cost to district
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved tax breaks for a project to revamp the historic building at 900 Rhode Island St., at no cost to the district.
Lawrence school district names next West Middle School principal
Kady Carson, currently the assistant principal and athletic director at Billy Mills Middle School, has been named the next principal of West Middle School.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider approving tax breaks for Turnhalle building project
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving tax breaks for a project to revamp the historic building at 900 Rhode Island St. into a community space and restaurant.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
‘We were just us’: Kansas Master Teacher brings authenticity to Sunflower Elementary classroom
It’s early Friday morning and eager students patiently form a line at Jessica Brown’s desk. Several want to congratulate the first grade teacher for her new award. Others want to say hi to a beloved former teacher before starting their day.
Lawrence school district names new Native American Student Services coordinator
David Farve, Mississippi Choctaw and Lawrence High alum, has been named the new coordinator of Native American Student Services for the Lawrence school district.
Teacher exits have decreased in Lawrence school district, report shows
The number of teachers who left the Lawrence school district at the conclusion of the 2022-23 year was lower than in previous years, according to a human resources report.
Ceramics piece by Lawrence High School student chosen for national conference
Lawrence High School senior Oliver Elwell’s ceramics piece has been selected to be showcased at a national ceramics conference this spring.





