School board increases LHS property insurance

Property insurance on Lawrence High School will be increased to more than $25 million, but that coverage still wouldn’t cover full replacement costs in a disaster.

The school board unanimously voted Monday to concur with a recommendation from the district’s underwriter, St. Paul Insurance, to increase coverage of LHS from $19.3 million to $25.6 million. The school is at 1901 La.

“The company feels the coverage we currently have is not adequate,” said Rick Gammill, the district’s director of transportation, safety and facilities planning.

He said the cost of building a new high school of 293,000 square feet was estimated at approximately $30 million.

The coverage will bring the annual insurance premium on LHS to $22,808 in 2003-2004.

Closed school passed to Grant Township

The Lawrence school board unanimously agreed Monday to convey Grant School to the surrounding Grant Township.

Last year, the district closed the elementary school at 1853 E. 1600 Road after enrollment dipped below 25 students.

The agreement between the district and township stipulates the building be used for public government and community purposes for 10 years. If the property is sold, the district will be repaid $11,200 it invested in land around the school.

Grant was built in 1961 after consolidation of four small schools. Grant area residents paid school construction costs. The school joined the Lawrence district in 1966.