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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
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Polar plunge invites community to take a dip in support of Special Olympics, ‘meaningful inclusivity’
With a fundraising goal of $17,000, organizers for the Special Olympics Lawrence Polar Plunge ask community members to get cold for a cause this month and help more than 4,000 Kansas athletes.
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Lawrence school district’s top 10 budget cuts include axing gymnastics, administrative restructuring
Among the top 10 items Lawrence Public Schools administrators are prioritizing for budget cuts are gymnastics, first aid kits, and a restructuring of administrative staff.
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Lawrence school district plans to move forward with Montessori at New York Elementary
The Lawrence school district plans to move forward with offering a public Montessori education at New York Elementary School, pending school board approval.
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More snow is on the way to Lawrence; KU campus, Lawrence schools to close Thursday for weather
Lawrence and Douglas County could see snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches, with the heaviest snowfall expected Thursday morning.
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Free State High School assistant principal to retire
Jeff Harkin, assistant principal at Free State High School, will retire in June after 29 years of service to public education, the Lawrence school district announced Tuesday.
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Photo: Free State debate duo win school’s first Round Robin tournament
The Free State High School debate team of John Marshall and Serena Rupp, both seniors, have added another first to the school’s résumé with their latest tournament win.
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Broken Arrow Elementary principal, director of secondary schools leaving posts
Two Lawrence Public Schools administrators will be leaving their posts at the end of June, the district announced Monday.
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Lawrence Public Schools to lift mask mandate effective Monday
Masks will be optional for all students and staff in Lawrence Public Schools buildings effective Monday, the district announced Friday afternoon.
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Lawrence school district staff members working on budget cuts; report projects decline in enrollment statewide
Lawrence school district staff members are working to find budget cut solutions, according to the superintendent’s Monday update to the school board, and a report indicates that budget woes likely won’t be offset by enrollment increases in the next few years.
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Photo: Lawrence High School’s annual Pops Show
Lawrence High School’s annual program features the Treble Choir and Tenor/Bass Choir, and sophomore members of the Concert Choir and Bellissima.
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Lawrence school district has high ratio of administrators to students, study finds
A study from the Kansas Association of School Boards shows that of Kansas’ 18 largest districts by enrollment, Lawrence — with a K-12 enrollment of 11,150 and 20 central office administrators — has the third highest ratio, at 557.5 students per administrator.
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Lawrence school board blasts state board member for handling of top educator’s racist statements
Several Lawrence school board members expressed anger during their meeting Monday after Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson retained his job despite video showing him making racist comments about Native Americans.
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Lawrence school board to hear administrative comparison study
Lawrence school board members on Monday will hear a report comparing USD 497’s administrative structures and salaries to comparable and nearby school districts.
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Deerfield students’ doughnuts available for preorder through Sunday; here are the winning dozen
Blueberry is a main feature of several of the top 12 Deerfield Elementary third graders’ doughnut designs, which are available for preorder through 6 p.m. Sunday.
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Interim principals of West Middle School, Cordley Elementary to step into roles permanently
Kathy Branson and Becky Reaver, interim principals of West Middle School and Cordley Elementary in Lawrence, respectively, have been promoted to permanent principal positions, the Lawrence school district announced Friday.