Lawrence schools

Superintendent to get annual job review

The Lawrence school board has called a special meeting for Monday to discuss the performance of Supt. Randy Weseman.

The job performance of the superintendent is reviewed annually by the board. The closed-door evaluation of Weseman is set for 6 p.m. at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

The board isn’t expected to take any public action after the special meeting, said Jan Leines, board clerk.

The board’s evaluation of the superintendent is used to determine annual salary adjustments.

In 2002, the board awarded Weseman a three-year contract. His annual salary in the first year of the deal is $127,500.

Shawnee Mission Schools

District panel votes to keep ‘Inherit the Wind’

Olathe — A panel from the suburban Shawnee Mission School District has ruled that “Inherit the Wind” will remain part of the Shawnee district’s library collection.

But the committee, appointed by the district’s administration, recognized the concerns of a Shawnee Mission East High School parent that the film should not be used as an accurate resource in the science curriculum.

The committee unanimously agreed to leave the film in the district’s collection but cautioned against presenting the film as fact.

The parent, Celtie Johnson of Prairie Village, said she interpreted the committee’s decision as affirmation of her concerns that the film was being used to present an inaccurate view of what really happened during the 1925 Scopes “monkey trial.”

Johnson said the film depicted conservative Christians negatively.

Fund-raiser

Citywide garage sales planned in Baldwin

The 16th annual Baldwin citywide garage sale will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Garage sales and deals from some local businesses will continue through the afternoon.

The Friends of the Baldwin City Library garage sale directory will list the locations and wares of all sales in the city. Directories are $1 and will be sold from 8 a.m. to noon in front of the retail center on the north side of U.S. Highway 56 between Ninth and 10th streets or at Baldwin City Library, 800 Seventh St. Proceeds from directory sales will help sponsor the city’s summer reading program, guest speakers, book talks, Night of 1,000 Stars and to purchase new library materials.

Garage sale sites will be marked with brightly colored lawn signs.

Courts

Second suspect admits to role in March beating

A second person has admitted taking part in a brutal beating earlier this year at a North Lawrence motel.

Leslie T. Howe, 23, Emporia, entered a guilty plea last week to aggravated battery, felony theft and misdemeanor theft.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office agreed to drop robbery and kidnapping charges as part of a plea agreement.

The agreement requires Howe to apply to the Labette Correctional Conservation Camp as a condition of probation. If he is accepted, he must complete the boot camp or face prison time.

Howe was charged along with four others in the March 10 beating of Mayetta resident Josh Greemore at the Jayhawk Motel, 1004 N. Third St.

One of the co-defendants pleaded guilty to battery last month and is awaiting sentencing. Three others have pending charges.