LATEST
Lawrence school district names next Sunset Hill Elementary principal
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved hiring Courtney Ellis as the next principal of Sunset Hill Elementary School.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Dick Meidinger/Lawrence Rotary Club
Lawrence high schoolers develop leadership skills at Rotary summer academy
Three Lawrence high schoolers were honored at the school board’s Monday meeting for being selected to attend the noon Lawrence Rotary Club’s 2021 summer Rotary Youth Leadership Academy.
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Lawrence school board honors Indigenous people, meets in private to discuss PAL-CWA tentative agreement, and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday honored Indigenous people in the district, approved a donation of trees for Cordley Elementary’s playground and more.
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider donation of trees for Cordley Elementary playground
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a donation of trees for the playground at Cordley, then meet in executive session to discuss contracts with the PAL-CWA union.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board candidates critique process of evaluating superintendent’s job performance
Candidates for Lawrence school board defined their perceived roles in public education advocacy, budgeting, COVID-19 safety protocols, hiring, wage increases and grading the superintendent during the teachers union forum on Saturday.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Construction project at Lawrence High School to culminate in ribbon cutting, alumni Hall of Honor ceremony Saturday
As an extreme makeover of Lawrence High School nears completion after a two-year renovation, the public is invited to view the Chesty Lions’ new digs.
Lawrence school board candidates share guiding values for pandemic safety decisions
The moderator of the Douglas County Democrats’ school board forum Wednesday asked the candidates to name the greatest successes and struggles in the district’s adaptations to the pandemic, and what values would guide their decision-making about safety policies.
Lawrence Schools Foundation / Contributed Photos
Lawrence Schools Foundation celebrates 4 high school seniors as champions of the arts
Four accomplished young artists — Free State High School seniors Matt Chappell and Devon Janus and Lawrence High School seniors Ashton Rapp and Rachel Schmaus — have been honored as the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s 2021 Student Champions.
Meet the Lawrence school board candidates
We gave Lawrence school board candidates a chance to update their answers to our earlier questionnaire as they proceed to the general election on Nov. 2.
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Lawrence school board candidates provide ideas for access to mental health services, internet
Candidates for Lawrence school board answered questions about how students can access opportunities equitably across the school district during a forum hosted by the Lawrence branch of the NAACP Thursday.
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Lawrence school board hears fresh ideas for boosting BIPOC staff recruitment, enrollment estimates and more
The Lawrence school board heard tonight about district staff’s efforts to recruit BIPOC staff, fill positions and more; plus updates on enrollment and a message about “devious licks” from the superintendent.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear report on staff diversity and retention, consider graduation requirement change and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear a report on recruitment and retention of BIPOC staff, consider reducing elective requirements for seniors this year and more.
USD 497 update to families
Lawrence Public Schools to begin COVID-19 testing to curb quarantines
Effective Monday, the Lawrence school district will follow new COVID-19 guidelines that will allow symptom-free students and staff to test out of quarantine.
Contributed
Wondering how testing out of school quarantines works? The Eudora school district shares a look at the process
A COVID-19 testing program used since August in the Eudora school district aims to reduce quarantines. Students and staff exposed to a positive case can “test out” of quarantine as long as they don’t have symptoms and continue to test negative for the virus.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence playground invites children of all abilities to play, thanks to donation from late benefactor
School and business leaders are gearing up to celebrate an inclusive playground for youngsters on Lawrence’s southeast side.
Lawrence Arts Center
Several Lawrence City Commission, Lawrence school board forums coming up
As we near the general election on Nov. 2, several local groups are planning candidate forums to help Lawrence voters make up their minds.





