Such serious matters as the state’s budget shortfall and looming staff cuts became punch lines Friday night at a variety show to raise money for the Lawrence school district.

“When you can make fun of something, it helps people get perspective,” said Supt. Randy Weseman, who performed two numbers, one of them in the hip-swiveling persona of Pelvis, brother of Elvis Presley. “It helps everyone kind of pull together.”

And for at least one night, that’s just what district administrators, teachers, counselors, city leaders and community members did. Some 500 people filled Liberty Hall to entertain and be entertained and to raise money for the Lawrence Schools Foundation during the 12th annual Foundation Follies.

Educators and other performers shed their inhibitions and revealed talents perhaps not frequently displayed in public.

One singing duo and a band of “concerned citizens” from Lawrence High and Deerfield schools altered the words to a song from the musical “Li’l Abner” to poke fun at Topeka legislators who are mulling over how to solve the state’s budget crisis.

“It seems to me they’re allergic to that ‘T’ word: taxes!” one performer yelled.

“How long can these superior teachers in Lawrence keep doing something for nothing?” another chimed in.

Midway through the evening’s festivities, emcees announced that Southwest Junior High School English teacher Lynne Renick had been named Educator of the Year. Renick, a 20-year veteran of the district, was chosen based on letters from her colleagues as well as several students, former students and parents, who described her as an “unselfish champion of education.”

“It was quite a shock,” she said. “I don’t feel like I deserve it because I work with great teachers and I teach the most wonderful students.”

Renick received a check for $1,000. Also honored were Jan Green, a first-grade teacher at Hillcrest School; Alan Gleue, a physics teacher at LHS; and Stacey Stringfellow, a first-year teacher at Southwest. They received Carl Knox Staff Development Grants totaling $1,500.

Weseman said the Follies showcased Lawrence’s high-quality, committed educators.

“There’s people on that stage tonight who are going to get a nonrenewal notice,” he said, referring to staff cuts the district will be forced to make because of financial hardship. “That tells you about the kind of people they are.”

Foundation director Lori Johns said the event typically generated about $12,000 for the charitable organization that supports teaching and learning opportunities, recognition of teachers and staff and student achievements in Lawrence schools.

“They put on a show every year that’s just hilarious,” she said. “It’s fun, and we need some fun now.”