Lawrence school board President Scott Morgan stamped out a sizzling rumor Monday on the eve of the $59 million school bond and school board election.

Gossip racing through Lawrence during the day had the board preparing a surprise attack on East Heights and Centennial schools, whereby the board would vote immediately to close both schools in May.

“No,” Morgan said, “there will not be a vote tonight.”

The board did agree to ask the district’s boundary committee to press ahead with planning for consolidation of both schools.

But the district’s next step depends on what Lawrence voters do today at the ballot box.

They’re being asked by the board to approve a $59 million bond issue that finances construction at 15 schools. The plan includes closure of East Heights and Centennial. Both schools would stay open until bond-financed additions to New York and Cordley schools are completed in a couple years. All Centennial students would go to Cordley and all East Heights students would be at New York.

“Obviously, that’s the right way to do it,” said Morgan, who faces re-election.

The board is preparing for the possibility the bond could fail. They agreed that if the bond was defeated, the boundary committee would begin mapping steps to have East Heights and Centennial shut down in May to help the district grapple with budget problems. East Heights and Centennial students would be scattered to various schools.

The board is searching for $4 million in potential spending reductions to balance the 2003-2004 budget.

Rumors about a closure vote as well as the discussion by the board about consolidation sparked public comment.

Robin Liston, who works with the district’s Even Start program, said school closures in the city’s most fragile neighborhoods would hurt children.

¢ More on the school bond issue

“This is kind of an emotional issue for me because I see those children every day,” she said.

Centennial advocate Julie Jacobson said boarding up Centennial at the end of this school year would be a mistake.

“It would be grossly unfair to just pull the rug out,” she said.

In addition to settling the bond today, voters will choose four board members.

The district’s boundary committee is to convene at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive, to begin work on consolidation scenarios.