Lawrence school district voters can speak out this afternoon during a forum about the April 1 local-option budget election.

Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Government and Community Affairs Committee will present a Talk of the Town session at 4 p.m. today at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

Dale Dennis, deputy Kansas commissioner of education, and Lawrence Superintendent Randy Weseman will discuss the LOB and school finance. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.

The Lawrence school board is asking voters to grant it the authority to raise an extra $679,000 to help fund salary raises and other programs. Board members have said the tax increase would amount to an extra $14 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home.