Outgoing board member chosen for award

Mary Loveland was named Monday as the first recipient of an annual Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education in the Lawrence school district.

Loveland is completing her fourth term on the board. She is the longest-serving board member in the district’s history.

“It has been an amazing 16 years,” she said. “Being elected to the school board seemed a good way to support public education.”

Supt. Randy Weseman said the award would go each year to a person who had provided unselfish devotion and contributed freely of his or her time over a significant length of time to public education.

“We could not think of anyone more deserving than Mary to receive this inaugural award,” he said.

Board member Sue Morgan said service on the board requires huge personal commitment.

“To do it for 16 years is unbelievable,” she said.

Loveland attended her final board meeting Monday along with board members Scott Morgan and Jack Davidson.

Insurance increase less than expected

The Lawrence school board voted Monday to drop flood and earthquake insurance as well as pass on a proposal to acquire terrorism insurance.

Rick Gammill, the district’s director of transportation, safety and facilities planning, said the property and liability coverage for the 2003-2004 school year would cost $269,100.

He said the policy with St. Paul Insurance Co. increased 6.2 percent, reflecting growth in property values and insuring more vehicles. The district had budgeted for a 25 percent increase in the premium, Gammill said.

“The premium increase is much less than we anticipated,” he said.

The district saved $9,000 by discontinuing its flood and earthquake coverage. It had never filed a claim under that provision of the policy in the past.

New federal law requires insurance companies to sell terrorism insurance, but doesn’t require public entities to purchase the coverage.