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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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AVID ‘rebranding’ proposed in Lawrence school district’s budget cuts; here’s what that means
A proposed budget cut for the Lawrence schools’ AVID program would mean that one instructor at each high school would teach all AVID elective sections and train other teachers in AVID strategies.
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Lawrence school board asks for budget cut list that minimizes harm to students
Lawrence school board members on Monday asked building leaders and administrators to provide them with a long list of potential budget cuts, prioritized by those least harmful to students, so they can make final decisions at their March 28 meeting.
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Voting open for Deerfield 3rd graders’ unique doughnuts; top 12 creations to be sold at Lawrence bakery
Voting is now open for the public to decide which 12 doughnuts designed by Deerfield Elementary third graders will be sold for a limited time at Infusions Bakery in Lawrence.
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Lawrence school board to meet for special budget discussion
The Lawrence school board is set for a special meeting on Monday to discuss cost-cutting proposals as the district faces a budget shortfall estimated between $3.2 and $3.85 million.
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Lawrence High newspaper editor credits staff after being named state journalist of the year
High school senior Cuyler Dunn might appear to be just starting out on a career in journalism, but those who know him best were not surprised this week when the Kansas Scholastic Press Association named him the state’s Student Journalist of the Year.
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Save Our Schools 497 group continues to fight for education at local, state levels
With school closures off the table for now, Lawrence’s Save Our Schools 497 group is now focused on finding a stopgap to make it through the year, looking at the district’s long-term financial health, and ensuring the community’s involvement in these processes.
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School canceled again Friday for Lawrence, Eudora districts; KU to delay opening
There will be a second snow day Friday for Lawrence and Eudora Public Schools, the districts announced Thursday afternoon.
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Deerfield Doughnuts: 3rd grade students’ unique designs to be sold in Lawrence
A doughnut with apple pie filling, topped with chunks of bacon and a chocolate drizzle? This dream is one that Laura Amlung’s third grade class at Deerfield Elementary hopes to make a reality.
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Lawrence school district alum returns, hopes to spark BIPOC students’ interest in education
In addition to an enthusiastic passion for history, first-year teacher Tori Mitchell offers Black students something she didn’t have as a student in Lawrence schools — a teacher who looks like them.
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Free State High School principal to retire
Free State High School Principal Myron Graber will retire at the end of June, the Lawrence school district announced Wednesday.
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Lawrence school board consensus: No school closures this year
Lawrence school district staff members have their work cut out for them: Don’t close any schools, and find $7 million in budget cuts that won’t impact students on a daily basis.
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Lawrence school board to start meeting with budget work session
The Lawrence school board’s Monday meeting will begin with a 90-minute work session on the budget, then proceed to a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
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Photos: Families gather to celebrate Lawrence schools
Families and friends of Lawrence neighborhood schools gathered for a rally Saturday at South Park to “Celebrate Our Schools.”
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Updated Lawrence school district budget data shows school closures would save less than slashing programs
Updated data from the Lawrence school district shows that a plan that includes closing or repurposing five schools would save the district less money than a plan that closes no schools but makes deep cuts to programs.
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‘Caught off guard’: Lawrence community members share their concerns about school closure proposals
The Save Our Schools 497 group has hosted community meetings and rallies with more to come soon. But these efforts are just the top layer of organizers’ work, and the enthusiasm shown in these demonstrations is a veneer on top of deep concerns for many families.