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.
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 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.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
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.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
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.”
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
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.
Molly Adams via Alicia Erickson/Contributed Photo
‘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.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district apologizes for inaccurate data shared on budget options
The Lawrence school district shared breakdowns of three cost-cutting options during a meeting Wednesday evening — but some of the data was inaccurate.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
3 options for Lawrence school district budget shortfall lean on school closures, major cuts to programs and staffing
Months of work by Lawrence school district committees has resulted in three cost-saving proposals formulated by district leadership. School closures remain on the table in two options, and significant reductions to staffing and programs in all scenarios would help fill a multimillion-dollar shortfall.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence school district’s budget committee to conduct equity analysis of cost-cutting proposals
As conversations continue about how the Lawrence school district can patch its budget shortfall, committee members will use this equity impact analysis tool to examine cost-cutting proposals.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board sets special meeting to consider school closures, other budget proposals
Lawrence school board President Erica Hill has called a special meeting of the board to discuss cost-cutting proposals, which could include school closures.
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.
