Board swears in new, returning members

Byers appointed to fill board vacancy

Board elects Byers as vice president

New fund balance policy targets financial stability

District renews contract for enrollment analysis

Preschool expansion reaches halfway milestone

Ellis named principal of Sunset Hill Elementary

Legislative alert: State bills propose strict cell phone bans

Union leaders urge advocacy on special education funding

Board swears in new, returning members

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497) Board of Education seated its new and re-elected members Monday night, marking the beginning of the 2026 legislative year. Newcomer Matt Lancaster took the oath of office alongside returning members Bob Byers, Kelly Jones and Shannon Kimball. The board welcomed the group, noting that Lancaster brings a fresh perspective to the body, while the returning members provide continuity for the district's ongoing strategic work.

Byers appointed to fill board vacancy

LAWRENCE, Kan. — In a unanimous 6-0 vote, the board appointed Bob Byers to fill a vacant seat on the Lawrence Board of Education. The motion appointed Byers, the fourth-place finisher in the Nov. 4, 2025, general election, to a term extending through January 2028. Following the vote, Byers was immediately sworn in to begin his service.

Board elects Byers as vice president

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Shortly after taking his oath of office, the board elected Bob Byers to serve as board vice president through July 2026. The motion passed 6-0.

New fund balance policy targets financial stability

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The board approved the first reading of Policy DD, a new fiscal guideline establishing a target fund balance range of 12 percent to 20 percent of operating costs. Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift and district leaders described the policy as a tool to improve the district's bond rating and allow for multi-year budgeting, particularly regarding employee wage increases. Discussion emphasized that the policy aims to move the district away from reactive budgeting toward a model that prioritizes compensation and protects against cash flow shortages during delays in state funding.

District renews contract for enrollment analysis

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The board voted 7-0 to approve a $35,000 contract with RSP & Associates to provide enrollment analysis and demographic forecasting. The firm, which has worked with the district since 2005, utilizes birth rates and housing development data to model future student population trends. Deputy Superintendent Larry Englebrick reported that current data suggests the district will see enrollment declines for two more years before stabilizing and returning to growth, information deemed critical for long-term facility and staffing decisions.

Preschool expansion reaches halfway milestone

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift announced that the enrollment window for district preschool programs will open on Feb. 2, with programs now available at six elementary schools and the Kennedy Early Childhood Center. With the recent addition of classrooms at Deerfield and Prairie Park, the district has reached the halfway point of its goal to place a preschool classroom in every elementary school in Lawrence.

Ellis named principal of Sunset Hill Elementary

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift announced the appointment of Courtney Ellis as the new principal of Sunset Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026. Ellis currently serves as assistant principal and athletic director at Billy Mills Middle School. Ellis will succeed Interim Principal Howard Diacon, whom the board recognized for his service in stabilizing the school's leadership during the transition period.

Legislative alert: State bills propose strict cell phone bans

LAWRENCE, Kan. — A legislative update presented to the board highlighted Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 2421, which propose a state-mandated ban on personal electronic devices during the school day. The update noted the bills would override local policy by requiring schools to physically collect and store student devices, a logistical challenge echoed by the local teachers' union later in the meeting. The proposed legislation would also ban district employees from communicating with students via any platform requiring a login, which could inadvertently prohibit the use of educational tools like Google Classroom and Gmail.

Union leaders urge advocacy on special education funding

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Representatives from the Lawrence Education Association addressed the board, urging a unified push for fully funded special education during the new legislative session. LEA President Emerson Hoffzales and Advocacy Chair Tom Barker highlighted the disconnect between state funding and the rising number of students requiring specialized services. The union also announced plans for a public education funding rally at the state capitol on March 17.

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