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Lawrence school board adds Indigenous Peoples Day as paid holiday, hears NASS report
Lawrence school board members approved calendars for 2026-2028 that include Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday the same evening that they received a report on Native American Student Services.
Lawrence school board adds Indigenous Peoples Day as paid holiday, hears NASS report
Lawrence school board members approved calendars for 2026-2028 that include Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday the same evening that they received a report on Native American Student Services.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
Lawrence high schools will return to MacBooks next year
Lawrence school district high schoolers will be issued MacBook laptops again next year after a year of using iPads.
Lawrence school district names next assistant principal of Billy Mills Middle School
Courtney Ellis, a Lawrence Public Schools alum and educator, has been named as the next assistant principal and athletics director of Billy Mills Middle School.
Lawrence school board to vote on purchasing MacBooks for high schoolers, hear report on AVID
The Lawrence school board on Monday will vote on whether to return to MacBooks for high school students for a contract about $1 million more than the district’s previous contract for iPads. The district believes the shift back will better serve student needs.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Ex-Prairie Park speech pathologist found competent to stand trial in child sexual abuse case
A former Prairie Park Elementary School speech pathologist on Thursday was declared competent to stand trial on one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child younger than 14 and one count of kidnapping, but those charges may multiply.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Parent left gun in gym bag for Lawrence High student, principal says
A parent dropped off a gym bag that contained a gun for a Lawrence High School student, according to an email the principal sent school families Tuesday afternoon.
Free State High School announces next assistant principal
A current career and technical education teacher and coach at Olathe South High School has been named the next assistant principal of Free State.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
New parent messaging tool, MacBooks among possible Lawrence school district ‘enhancements’
A new parent communication tool and a potential comeback for MacBook laptops in high schools are part of changes the Lawrence school district plans to make in 2025-26. Enrollment is also open for two new preschool classes.
Lawrence schools working to mitigate large class sizes; board sets non-district transfer seats
The Lawrence school district expects some large class sizes will continue in the 2025-26 year while enrollment is on the decline and more teachers are needed.
Lawrence school district names assistant director of special education
The current assistant principal and athletic director of Southwest Middle School has been named assistant director of special education for Lawrence Public Schools.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider approving 2025-26 classroom capacities; public comment not on agenda
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving classroom ratios and enrollment capacities for the 2025-26 year. General public comment is not on the board’s agenda.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Art students, teachers celebrated at Lawrence Arts Center’s Vanguard Awards
Art students and their teachers celebrated their award-winning artwork Friday evening at the annual Vanguard Awards during the opening reception for the USD 497 Exhibition.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence High choir students prepare for ‘Showtime’
The musical Lions of Lawrence High School will sing and dance to hits spanning decades during their annual “Showtime” performance, which premieres Thursday evening.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board member denounces harassment inside and outside the board room
A Lawrence school board member on Monday said she won’t be silenced by incessant harassment mostly directed at women on the board.
Lawrence school district names next Free State assistant principal and athletic director
The Lawrence school district has named Jason Schroeder as the next assistant principal/athletic director of Free State High School.
No new business, reports on Lawrence school board meeting agenda
The agenda for the Lawrence school board’s meeting on Monday lacks any regular business items and only includes opening items, the consent agenda and public comment.
