Board approves student meal price increases in split vote

District reports $13.7 million shortfall in special education funding

Summer food program serves 12,000 meals in first week

Summer facility upgrades underway across district

District unveils new Choice Campus at Centennial alternative learning program

Longtime Free State baseball coach Mike Hill retires

Lawrence welcomes Algerian National Team ahead of FIFA World Cup

Board approves student meal price increases in split vote

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Board of Education voted 6-1 to increase paid student meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year, citing rising labor and food costs. Paid lunch prices will increase by 15 cents, and breakfast will increase by 10 cents, bringing adult meals to $5.25 for lunch and $3.20 for breakfast. Reduced-price meals will remain at 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch, and qualifying free meals will remain free. Board member Matt Lancaster cast the lone dissenting vote, though Director of Nutrition and Wellness Julie Henry noted the increase is a necessary stopgap to prevent the food service program from drawing an estimated $150,000 out of the district's general fund.

District reports $13.7 million shortfall in special education funding

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift reported that Lawrence Public Schools faces a $13.7 million gap between the cost of providing mandated special education services and the reimbursements received from state and federal governments. District special education costs total approximately $33.5 million to serve more than 20 percent of the student population, while revenues only cover $19.8 million. Board members, including Shannon Kimball, expressed frustration over the state's continued underfunding, urging the community to advocate for increased public education funding to alleviate the financial strain on local social services and the district's general operating budget.

Summer food program serves 12,000 meals in first week

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The district's free summer meals program served approximately 12,000 meals to local children during its first week of operation. Fully funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the initiative helps ensure food security while schools are out of session. The Douglas County Fairgrounds distribution site alone accounted for more than 9,000 of those meals, as the location serves as the primary hub for multi-day bulk meal kit pickups. The district is also incorporating a weekly summer arts series during lunch service at its Sunset Hill Elementary location.

Summer facility upgrades underway across district

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools is executing a robust list of summer facility construction projects to prepare for the August return of students. Highlights include new preschool classrooms and playgrounds at Deerfield and Prairie Park elementary schools, the reconstruction of the Free State High School press box and track resurfacing at Lawrence High and Free State High schools. Additionally, theater upgrades are occurring at Billy Mills, Liberty Memorial Central, Southwest and West middle schools, and a new solar installation is being completed at Woodlawn Elementary.

District unveils new Choice Campus at Centennial alternative learning program

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools is launching the Choice Campus at Centennial program, an innovative, personalized alternative high school model opening this fall. Operating with flexible hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the campus will allow students to engage in interdisciplinary projects, work-based learning and mastery-based assessments rather than fulfilling traditional seat-time requirements. Centennial Principal Zach Harwood emphasized the program is designed for students seeking a customized educational approach outside of a conventional high school environment. Applications for the program open July 8.

Longtime Free State baseball coach Mike Hill retires

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The board recognized the retirement of Mike Hill, concluding a 32-year career in education with Lawrence Public Schools and marking the end of an era for Free State High School's baseball program. Hill has served as the head coach of the Firebirds since the school opened in 1997, having previously served in the district prior to the school's opening. In his final season, he led the team to a 25-4 record and a Class 6A state runner-up finish.

Lawrence welcomes Algerian National Team ahead of FIFA World Cup

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools and the broader local community will serve as the host base camp for the Algerian National Team during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. At Monday's meeting, officials highlighted a special welcome video created by Lawrence High School student body co-presidents Clark Barber and Aaminah Ahmed in partnership with Explore Lawrence, officially greeting the team as they prepare to make Rock Chalk Park their home base for the global tournament.

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