> ## 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. # Takeaways from Lawrence USD 497 Education Board Meeting - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/takeaways-from-lawrence-usd-497-education-board-meeting-17/ - Published: 2026-09-15T13:42:07.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-15T13:42:07.000Z - Description: Week of September 15, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: lcj, #summary, dnn # School board unanimously adopts 2026-2027 budget # Graduation rates rise, but disparities persist for English Language Learners # Lawrence Public Schools expands pre-K capacity # State technology policy changes loom for district # District upgrades facilities to support new busing contractor --- ### School board unanimously adopts 2026-2027 budget LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Board of Education unanimously approved the 2026-2027 district budget following a public hearing where residents expressed concerns over rising property valuations and tax burdens. The vote authorized the district to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate, permitting it to collect more local property tax revenue than it did the previous year by capturing additional revenue generated by increased property values without raising the mill levy. Board member Shannon Kimball defended the budget, noting that nearly 85 percent of district expenditures fund staff salaries and benefits negotiated earlier this year. Board member Kelly Jones stated that the district is forced to rely heavily on local taxpayers because she asserts the state underfunds special education, requiring Lawrence to backfill roughly 45 percent of its special education expenditures — approximately $4 million — using local property tax dollars. The board, now led by President Bob Byers following the body's summer reorganization, also voted 6-0 to certify the district's Local Option Budget at 33 percent for the coming school year. Board members emphasized that a significant portion of those funds are mandated by state law to be transferred into specific accounts, including special education, at-risk and bilingual funds, limiting the district's discretionary spending. --- ### Graduation rates rise, but disparities persist for English Language Learners LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence Public Schools reported an 88.7 percent federal four-year on-time graduation rate for its 2025 cohort, marking a 1.4 percentage point increase from last year and a nearly 6 percentage point jump since 2019\. While the district celebrated steady improvements among students with disabilities and those qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches, administrators highlighted a concerning 13.2 percentage point gap between the overall district graduation rate and that of English Language Learners. District officials plan to conduct a comprehensive case study to address the declining outcomes for the ELL student population. --- ### Lawrence Public Schools expands pre-K capacity LAWRENCE, Kan. — The district is opening five new preschool classrooms this week to accommodate a growing need for early childhood education in the community. Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift noted that maintenance crews worked through the weekend to assemble furniture and install materials in the new spaces. To support the expansion, the board approved the hiring of five teachers, and 32 incoming preschoolers recently completed health, vision and developmental screenings ahead of their first day. --- ### State technology policy changes loom for district LAWRENCE, Kan. — The district is bracing for a new Kansas State Board of Education policy regarding instructional technology and school-issued devices, which is expected to pass this fall. The draft policy will require local districts to develop tailored technology use plans that address artificial intelligence, data privacy, student access and screen time, ensuring technology supports rather than replaces classroom teaching. Once implemented by the state, Lawrence Public Schools will be required to make its local policy publicly available to parents before issuing devices to students. --- ### District upgrades facilities to support new busing contractor LAWRENCE, Kan. — Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift announced emergency facility modifications at the district's Facilities and Operations campus to support Durham School Services, the district's new transportation provider. The project will equip two additional bus-sized service bays and finish an internal space for a driver center. The upgrades, aimed at providing an indoor workspace before winter weather arrives, are slated for substantial completion by Nov. 30. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/lcj-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) [Click here for local jail logs](https://cjus.me/lcj-jail?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)