Craig Butler wants equity issues to be at the forefront of thought in Lawrence public schools.

Butler, co-chair of the district’s Equity Council, came to Monday’s school board meeting looking for guidance on what role the group should play in the future.

“We didn’t have too much of a focus,” he said. “I wanted to try to revitalize the council and do some things.”

The council has existed since 1986 but largely has been incident-driven, responding to specific complaints at schools.

But Butler, who has served with the group three years, hopes it can tackle issues such as recruiting more minority teachers and administrators.

Supt. Randy Weseman said he thought the group could be a “filter for policy issues” in the district and have a major role in developing a new bond issue for the district.

Several board members said they had specific projects they’d like the council to consider.

For Leonard Ortiz, that includes technology issues. Older schools don’t seem to have as many computers as newer schools, he said.

Board member Rich Minder said he thought the district should discuss ways to better address the needs of poorer students.

Weseman said research showed students in poorer socioeconomic areas had lower test scores than those in more affluent areas.

“But we don’t have a good connection to those homes,” he said. “We need to have a more in-depth conversation about what they need.”

Butler, director of academic affairs for Pinnacle Career Institute, said he hoped the 20-member council could provide a perspective on education issues not regularly heard by board members.

“I see the Equity Council working with all aspects of the educational process,” he said, “and doing nothing but helping to strengthen each aspect of that process.”