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Lawrence parents weigh advantages, concerns of cell phone-free schools; school board to vote on policy
A new policy imposing a cell-phone free instructional day is on the table, and while some Lawrence parents believe it would better support teachers, others said they’re worried about the safety implications.
Lawrence parents weigh advantages, concerns of cell phone-free schools; school board to vote on policy
A new policy imposing a cell-phone free instructional day is on the table, and while some Lawrence parents believe it would better support teachers, others said they’re worried about the safety implications.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Julie Boyle / Contributed Photos
Sunset Hill’s Amanda Atkins wins counselor of the year award for serving as ‘child’s rock’
Sunset Hill Elementary’s Amanda Atkins has landed 2022 Kansas Counselor of the Year honors. “She is my child’s rock, and she needs to be recognized for it,” a parent said in nominating her.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hold special meeting of executive sessions
The Lawrence school board will have a special meeting Monday for four consecutive closed-door sessions, the district announced Friday.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s boundary committee meeting canceled as possible school closures still loom
A planned meeting of the Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee has been canceled, meaning BAC members may not have the opportunity to provide feedback on potential school closure scenarios before the school board’s crucial decisions in the coming weeks.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district seeking $4.2 million in COVID relief funds
The Lawrence school district did indeed submit letters of interest for COVID-19 relief funds through the county, spokesperson Julie Boyle confirmed Tuesday morning.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Unclear whether Lawrence school district took steps to seek additional COVID relief funds
A Lawrence school district spokesperson said she was unsure whether any staff members had completed the first step to seek COVID relief funds that Douglas County has available by the Monday afternoon deadline.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence community replicates students’ steps through school closure, boundary revision scenarios
With demonstration walks planned this week, community members hope to show the Lawrence school board and district leaders the obstacles students face walking to school amid possible school closures and boundary changes.
Sydney Farokhi Clark/Contributed
Sunset Hill librarian reflects on evolution of ‘dream job’ as budget cuts threaten its future
Fallon Farokhi strives to spark a love of learning for nearly 400 Sunset Hill students. With librarian positions facing possible cuts, it’s a tough time for her to imagine not doing her dream job in her dream district.
Lawrence Times graphic; contributed photos
Where do they stand? Lawrence school board members share thoughts on school closure proposals
As of Friday, where do Lawrence school board members stand on school closure proposals?
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Lawrence school district’s budget committee supports school closures, initial poll indicates
Closing a middle school and two or more elementary schools; sharing staff across high schools; and cutting some special education support positions were some of the top-ranked cost-cutting proposals that members of the Lawrence school district’s Budget and Program Evaluation Committee indicated they would support.
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Lawrence school district’s boundary committee to take anonymous vote on school closure proposals
The district’s Boundary Advisory Committee is planning to take an anonymous vote on which school closure scenarios to keep on the table, despite concerns about transparency that some members raised.
Carter Gaskins / Lawrence Times file photo
Longtime Lawrence school board member explains how district’s budget crisis has unfolded
Lawrence school board Vice President Shannon Kimball took the board commentary portion of Monday’s meeting as an opportunity to provide some insight into the history of USD 497’s funding woes.
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Lawrence school board approves nixing some high school classes
Lawrence school board members on Monday agreed to curriculum changes that include eliminating the district’s driver’s education offering. Staff said students will still have alternative options to take the class.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members rally in support of schools at board meeting
Lawrence community members rallied at school district offices Monday in support of their neighborhood schools, and the board got to hear from some very young public commenters.
Dave Loewenstein/Contributed Photo
Signs of support for Lawrence schools pop up around town
A tight timeline for the Lawrence school board to make decisions about whether to close schools seems to have lit a fire under many community members who are coming together to “#SaveOurSchools497.”
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Closure proposals missing from Lawrence school board agenda; board will consider nixing some classes and more
Nothing on the Lawrence school board’s Monday agenda indicated whether members will discuss proposals to close several district schools. But the board will consider deleting some high school classes, approving a calendar with a weeklong fall break and Juneteenth as a holiday in 2023, and more.
