7 takeaways from Lawrence USD 497 school board meeting

School board member Anne Costello resigns, citing personal reasons

Board approves 2026 legislative priorities, focuses on funding, vouchers

District forms advisory group on artificial intelligence

Pinckney program empowers young adults with disabilities for workforce

Renovations progressing at future Centennial ‘Choice’ campus

Mental health program sees high demand, logs 2,000 student interactions

District to coordinate food assistance amid federal shutdown concerns

1. School board member Anne Costello resigns, citing personal reasons

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education member Anne Costello has resigned from her position, effective immediately. The surprise announcement came during the board’s meeting on Monday, Oct. 27. In a letter read by Board Vice President Bob Byers, Costello cited unspecified “personal circumstances” as the reason for her departure. “Serving on the board has been an honor and a privilege, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the important work of supporting our students, staff and community,” Costello wrote. Board members thanked Costello for her service, highlighting her dedication and the critical lens she brought to policy discussions. The board approved the resignation and will outline the process for filling the vacancy at its Nov. 10 meeting.

2. Board approves 2026 legislative priorities, focuses on funding, vouchers

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Board of Education approved its legislative priorities for the 2026 state session, reaffirming its commitment to increased public school funding and opposition to private school voucher programs. The platform calls on the Kansas Legislature to fully fund education and increase base state aid, protect local control of curriculum, support universal school meals and oppose discriminatory statutes. Board members said the approved priorities will help district leaders advocate effectively when legislation is introduced.

3. District forms advisory group on artificial intelligence

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools is seeking community members to serve on a new advisory group focused on artificial intelligence and evolving technologies. The group, first called for by the board in 2024, will align with district priorities around student achievement, safety and staff quality. Applications will be available on the district’s website and sent to families, with applications accepted from Oct. 28 through mid-November; initial meetings are planned before the end of the calendar year.

4. Pinckney program empowers young adults with disabilities for workforce

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Community Connections at the former Pinckney Elementary School is preparing students with disabilities ages 18 to 21 for life after graduation, according to a report presented to the board Monday. The program provides hands-on vocational training, life-skills instruction in newly completed model apartments and authentic work experience. Administrator Jenna Viscomi highlighted the success of Project SEARCH, a partnership with LMH Health and the University of Kansas that places students in real-world internships and has a strong employment track record. Viscomi also noted plans to launch a student-run coffee shop to provide additional training opportunities. The program currently serves about 50 to 60 students daily, with many placed in jobs at community businesses like Checkers, Dillons and Sunflower Provisions.

5. Renovations progressing at future Centennial ‘Choice’ campus

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The district’s plan to transform the historic Centennial Elementary School into a small, non-traditional high school is moving forward, Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift told the board. Following a recent site visit, Swift shared photos of the building’s interior and praised its “good bones.” The facility, to be known as the Choice Campus at Centennial, is envisioned as a flexible, personalized learning environment for students who need an alternative to a traditional comprehensive high school. The project aims to extend the legacy of the original school while providing differentiated pathways for Lawrence students.

6. Mental health program sees high demand, logs 2,000 student interactions

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Demand for mental health support remains high, with staff from the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center’s Wellness, Resources, Access and Prevention program conducting approximately 2,000 interactions with students in the first two and a half months of the school year, according to board member Shannon Kimball during board commentary. The WRAP program embeds mental health professionals in Douglas County schools, including Lawrence Public Schools, to provide on-site support.

7. District to coordinate food assistance amid federal shutdown concerns

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools is joining a community-wide effort to address food insecurity potentially linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift reported Monday that the district is concerned for its 1,149 students whose families may experience delayed or missed benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Swift announced that district representatives will attend a meeting at the Lawrence Public Library to help coordinate efforts among local food pantries and community organizations. Board member Carole Cadue-Blackwood, who noted her husband is a federal employee who missed a paycheck, urged the public to donate to the district’s meal fund or support local organizations like Harvesters. Swift promised to provide updates on how the community can support families through coordinated school-based initiatives.

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