> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 5 takeaways from Lawrence USD 497 school board meeting - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/5-takeaways-from-lawrence-usd-497-school-board-meeting/ - Published: 2025-07-24T22:31:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-29T22:29:57.000Z - Description: July 14, 2025 - New Board Leadership; Funding Freeze; New District Leaders; State Funding Changes; New Immigration Rule - Author: Greg Loving - Tags: lcj ### **1\. Gordon-Ross, Byers to Lead School Board** LAWRENCE – The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education has new leadership following its annual organizational meeting. GR Gordon-Ross was elected board president, with Bob Byers selected as vice president. The vote for Gordon-Ross was unanimous after Byers declined the presidential nomination. A public commenter noted that Gordon-Ross had been voted out in the 2021 election before being appointed in 2022 to fill a vacancy. The vice-presidential race saw two candidates: Bob Byers and Yolanda Franklin. Byers won the seat with a 4-2 vote after colleagues praised his years of public-health service and commitment to families. Franklin was lauded for her deep community ties and dedication to students. --- ### **2\. Federal Funding Freeze Hits Lawrence Schools with $468,000 Loss** LAWRENCE – Lawrence Public Schools is facing a nearly half-million-dollar shortfall after the federal government froze congressionally approved education funding. Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift reported that the district will lose $468,151, including $309,310 from Title II (teacher recruitment and retention), $63,185 from Title III (English-learner instruction) and $95,656 from Title IV (student success and well-being programs). Superintendent Swift warned that the loss—coupled with the state’s elimination of teacher-development funds—creates a significant staffing challenge just weeks before school begins. Outgoing board president Kelly Jones called the decision “unjust and immoral,” adding, “Our children do not have time to wait … their development is not on pause.” --- ### **3\. District Introduces New Leaders for Academics and Equity** LAWRENCE – Lawrence Public Schools officially welcomed two key administrators. Dr. Cole Amaya is the new assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, arriving from Kansas City, Kansas, where he served as a principal and instructional coach. The board also recognized Tina Mitchell, a 25-year district veteran, as director of equity and student and family engagement. Both will oversee curriculum, culturally responsive systems and family partnerships to boost achievement. --- ### **4\. State Task Force Eyes Changes to “At-Risk” and Special-Ed Funding** LAWRENCE – Board member Shannon Kimball reported that the Kansas Education Funding Task Force spent its recent meeting dissecting at-risk weightings in the state formula, noting that small tweaks can have “outsized impacts” on districts. The task force will devote its August meeting to special-education funding. Meanwhile, the Kansas State Board of Education plans to ask legislators to cover at least 80 % of special-ed excess costs—an estimated $92 million increase. --- ### **5\. New Federal Rule May Tie Immigration Status to School Services** LAWRENCE – A forthcoming federal interpretive rule could require schools to verify immigration status for certain federally funded programs, including Head Start, dual-enrollment and adult-education initiatives. Though not yet law, the rule signals stricter enforcement. District leaders are monitoring whether student-meal programs or teacher-training grants—already frozen—will be affected. --- ## Sponsors (click me!) 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