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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
Lawrence school board members ask for clarity on proposed budget cuts, process used to reach them
As the Lawrence school board prepares to soon approve final budget cuts for next year, board members asked district administrators for more concrete details about plans for school closures and more.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Save Our Schools 497 group rallies ahead of Lawrence school board special meeting
Supporters of keeping neighborhood schools open rallied outside of Lawrence school district offices Tuesday evening ahead of a special school board meeting.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider budget cuts and school closures at special meeting
The Lawrence school board will meet Tuesday to discuss a list of proposed budget cuts, including potentially closing three schools that have not yet been publicly named and increasing staffing ratios at middle and high schools.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
As Lawrence school closure talks loom, report identifies lowest-scoring district buildings
The Lawrence school district’s budget committee’s recommendation for the 2023-24 year remained unspecified at the end of the group’s final meeting Wednesday, but the committee did learn how elementary and middle schools scored on an assessment of district facilities.
Lawrence school district graduation rates have increased, accreditation report shows
High school graduation rates in the Lawrence school district increased last year, adding onto its gradual improvement over the years, a new accreditation report states.
Lawrence school board approves calendar for next year with 5-day weeks
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved the district’s 2023-24 school calendar that keeps students in attendance five days a week. Research on a four-day week option will be presented to the board next month.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider approving next year’s school calendar, hear accreditation report
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a draft school calendar for 2023-24, which includes a few changes but keeps five-day weeks — for now. A four-day student week proposal will come back to the board next month.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Cordley Elementary students wrap Black Lives Matter week with march
Students, faculty and staff of Cordley Elementary School celebrated Black Lives Matter at School Week, wrapping up the events with a big rally and march on Friday.
Lawrence police, school district to team up for forum on fentanyl risks
An upcoming forum aims to help attendees understand the risks of illicit fentanyl with the goal of reducing the drug’s impact on the community.
Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee members express frustration with budget cut process
The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee members expressed frustration during their meeting Thursday evening, saying that the process to select and implement a budget cut proposal has felt performative rather than collaborative.
West Middle School evacuated after report of ‘threat that could be considered a bomb threat’
West Middle School students have evacuated the building as a safety precaution “following a report of a written threat that could be considered a bomb threat left on a technology device yesterday,” according to the school district.
Lawrence school administrators discuss chronic absenteeism, behavior approaches in report to board
Chronic absenteeism has increased in Lawrence Public Schools since the first quarter, data in recent district reports shows; meanwhile, increased behavior incidents in middle schools need tailored approaches, administrators say.
Lawrence school board approves switching from MacBooks to iPads for high school students
Despite commentary from students and faculty that switching high school students from MacBooks to iPads would cause concerns about equity, efficiency and students’ ability to succeed, the Lawrence school board on Monday voted to approve the switch.
Lawrence school district selects music teacher, union leader as assistant director of human resources
The Lawrence school district has announced Megan Epperson, Broken Arrow and elementary lead music teacher and current interim vice president of the Lawrence teachers union, as assistant director of human resources.
Lawrence school board to consider switching from laptops to iPads for high school students
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a high school technology switch to iPad tablets instead of MacBook laptops.





