LATEST
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence superintendent to seek feedback at community meetings this winter
The Lawrence school district superintendent will soon host a series of meetings to elicit feedback from students, staff, families and the local community.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district boundary committee’s ‘baseline’ plan would shift several elementary schools’ boundaries
A proposal for new school boundaries will set the foundation for which schools elementary students may be assigned to next year, including possible changes for students whose schools are not facing possible closures.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district leaders outline budget challenges for crowd at Chamber luncheon
Inadequate state funding for public schools and special education has greatly contributed to the Lawrence school district’s current budget crisis and a need to consolidate schools, district leaders told the crowd at a Chamber luncheon Wednesday.
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School principal to resign
Anne Hawks, principal of Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, will resign effective June 30, the school district announced Monday.
Public hearings on two Lawrence elementary school closures scheduled
The Lawrence school district announced Monday morning it will hold public hearings at the end of March on the possible closures of Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to complete annual superintendent evaluation
Lawrence school board members on Monday will complete their annual evaluation of the district superintendent, Anthony Lewis.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Free State High School orchestra selected to perform in esteemed festival
Free State High School orchestra members have been selected to perform in an annual festival with youth orchestras from across Kansas and Missouri.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
District committee considers schools that Broken Arrow, Pinckney students could attend if those schools close
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday began discussions of possible boundary changes following the school board’s vote to advance hearings over the possible closures of Pinckney and Broken Arrow elementary schools.
Tricia Masenthin / Lawrence Times
Hoax report of active shooter called in at Free State High School, Lawrence police say
The Lawrence Police Department received a call regarding an active shooter at Free State High School Wednesday morning, but it was a hoax call, according to a news release from the department.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Union reps, community members voice concerns about staff cuts and school closures ahead of Lawrence school board vote
Lawrence community members showed up in big numbers to the school board meeting Monday evening, most opposing a budget recommendation to close neighborhood schools. The board heard almost two hours of public comment.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district students, staff and community members rally before school board meeting
Community members joined Lawrence school district staff and students in a rally outside district offices before the school board meeting Monday to voice their concerns regarding a budget cut proposal that included possible closures of multiple schools.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board votes to hold hearings on closing 2 schools and to cut staff
Lawrence school board members, more than six hours into their meeting Monday, voted to hold public hearings to consider closing Broken Arrow and Pinckney elementary schools, but not Woodlawn.
FAQs, background info and timelines as Lawrence school board mulls closing buildings
The Lawrence Public Schools superintendent on Friday released his recommendation to close three elementary schools and repurpose a middle school. We’re looking to answer your questions about timelines, transportation, the budget and more.
Mackenzie Clark / Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence superintendent’s recommendation: Close 3 elementary schools, repurpose middle school
Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis is recommending that three elementary schools be closed and a middle school be repurposed into a magnet school.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Members of Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee share frustrations with process, reflections
By the end of a five-month process of analyzing potential budget cuts for next year, some members of the Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee felt facilitators and district leaders lacked transparency and dismissed their ideas. Others felt the committee achieved its purpose.
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s boundary committee weighs impact of closing Hillcrest Elementary
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday discussed the possible closure of Hillcrest Elementary and its English as a Second Language program, as well as possible implications of the school board’s looming decision on budget cuts.





