Following an emotional discussion, Lawrence’s school board decided tonight to give final approval to a policy that would set up Sunflower and Schwegler elementary schools as English as a Second Language neighborhood schools.

The policy would mean teachers at those two schools would need to take 18 hours of classroom and other college training to become ESL certified.

The policy was approved on a 5-2 vote, with board members Craig Grant and John Mitchell voting against.

Prior to the vote, Grant and Mitchell tried to get the matter postponed until the next meeting. However, their motion to do so failed.

About 30 people, including more than a dozen teachers from Sunflower Elementary School, stayed for the ESL portion of the meeting.

The main concern of parents and teachers was that long-time teachers at the school, especially those nearing retirement, would not stay at the school.

The board was continuing to discuss the issue following the vote.