The Lawrence Board of Education discussed their study of budgets ideas for the school district Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll, left, spoke during the study session meeting.

Lawrence school board members and administrators Monday said a diverse group of people would make up a district task force studying elementary school facilities in coming months.

“This is a community with very differing opinions on everything including the elementary question, and we’ve got to try to merge that together,” said Scott Morgan, the school board president.

Board members on Monday voiced support for the overall goal of the community task force. The idea for the group was born in March when board members agreed not to close any elementary schools for next school year as they made $4.6 million in budget cuts.

The board is asking the 25-member task force to recommend a community vision and plan for the district’s elementary schools.

The task force will study nine areas, including the current physical conditions of the 15 buildings, research on class size, operating costs, the meaning of neighborhood school, and factors to be considered before either building a new elementary school or replacing an existing one.

Morgan will appoint two board members to serve on the task force. According to board policy, Superintendent Rick Doll will appoint the others. Nearly 30 people have already expressed interest; applications, which are due May 17, are available at the district’s website, usd497.org.

Members of a group that was vocal during budget discussions were concerned that each elementary school won’t be represented.

“I don’t want to prejudge it before I see it, but I do have concerns about the lack of transparency of the selection process,” said Chuck Epp, a member of Save Our Neighborhood Schools, or SONS.

Doll said each school won’t be represented because of the size of the task force. He said its aim will be to consider what’s best for the district and that he was looking for members of several community groups, similar to ones SONS recommended.

Doll will also look to board members to help vet the list. “All aspects of the community will be represented,” Doll said. “As much as possible.”