Bottom Line

Joe Snyder, Free State High School principal, and Dick Patterson, Lawrence High School principal, will brief the board on what they’ve done to stop hazing among students.

Among actions being taken is preparation of a new “High School Code of Conduct” that include a provision on hazing. It will be signed by students and their parents.

Background

The report from the principals was requested by Supt. Randy Weseman.

The issue of hazing emerged in Lawrence in May 2002 when allegations surfaced that LHS seniors paddled sophomores with sticks as part of a hazing event attended by students’ parents. Some of the seniors were on the LHS baseball team.

Other business

• Receive comments from Scott Morgan, board president; Randy Weseman, superintendent; and board members.
• Consider a $20,200 contract with Lowenthal, Singleton, Webb and Wilson of Lawrence to perform the district’s financial audit for the year ending June 30, 2003.
• Consider a $16,570 contract with Savin Corp. of Uniontown, Ohio, for 8,800 reams of white paper.
• Consider a $15,827 contract with Jorban Riscoe of Lenexa to repair the corroded hot-water basin of the cooling tower at Lawrence High School.
• Consider on final action policies on school enrollments, calendars and closings as well as personnel records and procedures for suspensions and expulsions.
• Consider on first reading a policy on supervision of medications in school.
• Receive a report from the two Lawrence high school principals on efforts to reduce hazing.
• eceive a report from Mary Rodriguez, executive director of human resources; Jill Smith, Sunflower School principal; and Barb Thompson, Quail Run School teacher on class size.
• Conduct an executive session for consultation with the board’s lawyer.