The union representing Lawrence public school teachers Monday endorsed the district’s $59 million bond and four school board candidates supporting the initiative.

“We overwhelmingly voted to support the bond,” said Wayne Kruse, president of Lawrence Education Assn. “When we look at the big picture, this is the right bond at this time.”

Eighty-four percent of association delegates meeting at Lawrence High School voted for a motion endorsing the bond and all four pro-bond candidates. Sixty-five delegates representing the district’s 650 union members voted.

The public decides April 1 whether to raise property taxes for 20 years to finance bond renovation and construction projects at 15 of the district’s 25 schools. They’ll also settle which of eight candidates will take four open seats on the board.

Candidates earning the union label were Scott Morgan, Mary Loveland and Sue Morgan, all incumbents, as well as Cindy Yulich.

“I appreciate it,” Sue Morgan said. “They’re the professionals in the field. I have a great deal of respect for them.”

Yulich said an endorsement by teachers in the association was significant for her campaign.

“It’s a huge voting constituency,” she said. “They’re pretty thoughtful. They weighed everything.”

Candidates not earning the association’s blessing were Rich Minder, Leonard Ortiz, Michael Pomes and Cille King.

King said she knew of “many teachers” who were supporting the campaigns of anti-bond candidates like herself.

“All the candidates are supportive of teachers,” King said. “We all want them well-paid and respected.”

¢ 6News video: Teachers to support bond¢ Stories, video and a timeline about the school bond issue¢ Video and text profiles and more information about the school board candidates

Kruse said the dissent expressed by association delegates centered on the board’s plan to close East Heights and Centennial schools.

“They see the faces of the kids in schools that might not be around next year,” he said.

Under the bond, the two schools would be shut down after bond-financed additions were completed at New York and Cordley schools. It’s possible budget problems will prompt the current board to consolidate these schools even if the bond fails.

Kruse said association delegates determined the endorsements by considering candidates’ position on the bond as well as their view on reducing class sizes and raising teacher salaries.

He said the incumbents and Yulich demonstrated greater command of issues related to the district’s declining enrollment, the state’s budget problems and the federal government’s new education mandates.

“These had a depth of understanding of the issues,” Kruse said.