Lawrence schools expect grant to improve reading

The Lawrence school district expects to receive approval Monday of a $2 million state grant to improve reading skills of students in elementary schools.

Kim Young, a district staff member working with federal programs and international students, would direct the money to assist children at New York, Woodlawn, Prairie Park and Kennedy schools.

The three-year grant, which is contingent on annual improvement of student reading achievement, would provide $730,000 this year, $638,000 next year and $650,000 the final year.

Funding from the grant would finance hiring of five reading coaches, four reading resource teachers, one reading specialist, one assessment specialist and a part-time secretary.

The grant from the Kansas State Department of Education is pending approval of the state Board of Education.

Higher education

Regents to begin annual retreat Tuesday

The Kansas Board of Regents will conduct a work retreat Tuesday through Thursday at The Barn in Valley Falls.

The annual retreat will start with dinner Tuesday and continue through Thursday morning.

The chief executives of the six state universities will join the regents Wednesday.

Kansas University

New multicultural center receives approval

Topeka — Lawmakers recently gave Kansas University approval to proceed with plans to build a new Multicultural Resource Center beside the Kansas Union.

KU students will pay for half of the $3 million project through a $4-per-student fee that will take effect this fall.

The remaining $1.5 million is expected to come from private gifts, university officials said.

Earlier this week, KU officials received the necessary approval from the House-Senate Building Committee to proceed with the project.

The center will be used to help promote cultural understanding.