The Lawrence school board on Monday began the process for firing Wayne Kruse, a sixth-grade teacher accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the teachers’ union.

Kruse, a former president of the Lawrence Education Assn., has been suspended with pay since Jan. 11.

Board members voted to notify Kruse of their “intent to terminate.” Kruse now has the option of appealing the board’s decision during a March 29 meeting with the director of the district’s special-education programs, Bruce Passman, who will serve as a hearing officer.

If Kruse chooses to appeal and if Passman denies the appeal, Kruse will be dropped from the district’s payroll immediately. The meeting is not open to the public.

“Mr. Kruse is entitled to due process,” Supt. Randy Weseman said. “We will present evidence as to why he should be terminated, and he will have the option of presenting evidence to the contrary. After that, it’ll be up to Mr. Passman.”

Attempts to reach Kruse were unsuccessful Monday.

Last week, prosecutors charged Kruse with two counts of forgery and one count of theft involving more than $25,000. All three charges are felonies.

LEA and Kansas National Education Assn. officials have said they suspect Kruse stole more than $97,000 in union dues between Nov. 4, 2003, and Aug. 3, 2004.

If convicted, Kruse could be sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison.

“We just felt (termination) was the right thing to do in light of what’s happened,” board president Leni Salkind said.

6News video: School board terminates contract of teacher charged with embezzlement Ex-union leader in court on theft charges (03-12-05) Charges filed against former LEA president (03-09-05) 6News video: Charges filed in missing dues case (03-08-05) Police file report on missing LEA dues (02-09-05)

Kruse has been with the district since 1992. He was LEA president from fall 1999 to summer 2004.

In other action, board members:

l Chose three Lawrence architectural firms — Gould Evans Architects, Treanor Architects and GLPM Architects — to design the renovations, additions and new construction proposed in the upcoming $54 million bond issue.

The bond issue, which includes $26.6 million for a new South Junior High School, will be on the April 5 general election ballot.

l Approved boundary changes expected to move 97 students from Deerfield School to Quail Run School at the start of the 2005-2006 school year.

Fifth-graders now at Deerfield will be allowed to stay.

On a 4-3 vote, board member denied a motion to let Deerfield fourth-graders stay as well. Parents of students affected by the decision have until April 1 to request a “transfer” allowing them to remain at Deerfield.