Takeaways from Lawrence USD 497 Education Board Meeting
Week of July 28, 2026
Board advances stricter cell phone ban to comply with state law
District faces historic lows in state special education funding
District secures state funding for school safety upgrades
Summer facility upgrades readied ahead of new school year
Centennial Campus renovations nearing completion for fall opening
Durham School Services takes over busing with focus on staffing
Public curriculum portal launched for Lawrence parents
West Middle School graduates serve as national AVID ambassadors
Board advances stricter cell phone ban to comply with state law
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Board of Education unanimously approved the first reading of a stricter student personal electronic device policy at its July 27 meeting to comply with Kansas House Bill 2299. The new policy requires all students, from prekindergarten through 12th grade, to keep devices securely stored in an inaccessible location throughout the entire school day, marking a shift from the district's previous policy that allowed high school students to access their phones during lunch periods. Board members debated the language of the policy, ultimately suggesting revisions to emphasize parents' roles in managing device rules for younger students before a final vote is taken.
District faces historic lows in state special education funding
LAWRENCE, Kan. — State funding for special education has dropped to its lowest share in Kansas history, covering an estimated 65.3 percent of required excess costs for the 2026–27 school year, according to a legislative update provided to the board. A board member noted the state is statutorily mandated to fund 92 percent of the costs, a target it has not met with state dollars since 2009. The ongoing funding shortfall directly increases local property taxes, as the district must cover the remaining multimillion-dollar gap out of its general fund.
District secures state funding for school safety upgrades
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools will receive a prorated portion of the Kansas State Board of Education's $2.5 million Safe and Secure Schools grant. The district was one of approximately 160 across the state that applied for a share of the funds, with total statewide requests exceeding $22 million. The funds, which require a matching local contribution from the district, will be used to support safety and security infrastructure improvements across local campuses.
Summer facility upgrades readied ahead of new school year
LAWRENCE, Kan. — District maintenance crews have spent the summer completing extensive infrastructure and athletic upgrades across the district without the use of a new bond measure. Upgrades finalized ahead of the upcoming school year include new tracks and athletic facilities at Lawrence High School and Free State High School, middle school auditorium renovations, solar installations at Woodlawn Elementary, and new preschool classrooms at Deerfield Elementary and Prairie Park Elementary. Board members publicly praised the facilities and operations team for their management of the district's physical assets over the summer months.
Centennial Campus renovations nearing completion for fall opening
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Renovations at the historic Centennial building are steadily progressing in preparation for its reopening as the district's Choice Campus at Centennial for high school students this fall. The project preserved original architectural elements, including the exterior red brick and overhead wooden ceilings in the library, while modernizing the interior to feature flexible learning spaces. District officials highlighted the renovation as an example of responsible resource management through the repurposing of existing facilities rather than funding new construction.
Durham School Services takes over busing with focus on staffing
LAWRENCE, Kan. — As Lawrence Public Schools transitions to Durham School Services for student transportation, the company is offering signing bonuses of up to $4,000 for fully credentialed drivers with a commercial driver's license to ensure fully staffed routes by the start of the school year. Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift noted the company is rolling out a transportation app and new routing software to streamline operations and enhance student safety. Although local hiring is currently about two-thirds complete, Durham plans to use drivers from surrounding regions to guarantee full service on day one.
Public curriculum portal launched for Lawrence parents
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Parents in Lawrence Public Schools can now view the district's guaranteed curriculum online through a newly launched public curriculum platform. Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift announced that materials for kindergarten through eighth-grade English language arts, as well as many math and Advanced Placement courses, are already available on the site. The platform will continue to be updated throughout the year, providing the community with transparency into what students are learning at every grade level and content area.
West Middle School graduates serve as national AVID ambassadors
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Six recent graduates of West Middle School were selected to serve as student ambassadors at the Advancement Via Individual Determination National Conference held recently in Kansas City, Missouri. The incoming Free State High School freshmen engaged with educators from across the country, providing authentic student perspectives on the college and career readiness program while earning community service hours. Board members noted that Lawrence Public Schools had more students chosen for the ambassador roles than any other participating school district.
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