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Schools and education

Elected Education Officials
State Board of Education
  • Janet Waugh, (D-District 1)
    715 N. 74th Kansas City, KS 66112; (913) 287-5165
  • Carolyn Wims-Campbell, (D-District 4)
    3824 S.E. Illinois Ave., Topeka 66609; (785) 266-3798
  • Kansas Board of Regents
    1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 520
    Topeka, KS 66612; (785) 296-3421
  • Arthur Edwin “Ed” McKechnie, chairman, Arcadia
  • Tim Emert, vice chairman, Independence
  • Christine Downey-Schmidt, Inman
  • Mildred Edwards, Wichita
  • Juana "Janie" Perkins, Garden City
  • Fred Logan Jr., Leawood
  • Dan Lykins, Topeka
  • Robba Addison Moran, Hays
  • Kenny Wilk, Lansing
  • Lawrence School Board
  • Vanessa Sanburn, president
    765 Ash St., 66044; 785-856-1233
  • Rick Ingram, vice president
    1510 Crescent Road, 66044; 864-9819
  • Mark Bradford
    1509 Brink Court, 66047; 843-8656
  • Bob Byers
    1707 E. 21st Ter., 66046; 842-8345
  • Keith Diaz Moore
    1738 Barker Ave., 66044; 856-1402
  • Shannon Kimball
    257 Earhart Circle, 66049; 840-7722
  • Randy Masten
    934 W. 21st St., 66046; 760-5196
  • Administration
  • Rick Doll, superintendent
    832-5000
Blue Valley administrator named assistant principal at Free State High School
May 17, 2013
Keith Jones has been named the new assistant principal at Free State High School, effective July 1, and pending school board approval. By Peter Hancock
State Board hears opposition to Common Core Standards
May 14, 2013
Dozens of people spoke out against the Common Core standards for reading and math at a meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education Tuesday. But board members say they’re not inclined to repeal the standards, which were formally adopted in October 2010. By Peter Hancock
State Board of Education member defends N-word comments
May 14, 2013
Black leaders criticized State Board of Education member Steve Roberts Tuesday for comments he made about the use of a racially derogatory word. Roberts was commenting during the April meeting about proposed new history, government and social studies standards. By Peter Hancock
School board moves forward on sex ed curriculum
May 13, 2013
The Lawrence school board hopes to have a new human sexuality curriculum in place by this summer that will incorporate new national guidelines. The new curriculum would add more information about contraception and sexual orientation. By Peter Hancock
State education board may seek attorney general’s opinion on ‘innovative districts’ law
May 13, 2013
A new law enacted this year allows up to 10 percent of school districts to exempt themselves from many state laws and regulations. But state education officials say parts of the law may go too far. By Peter Hancock
School board to review human sexuality curriculum
May 13, 2013
Lawrence school officials are recommending a complete review of the district’s human sexuality curriculum to align with new national standards. Changes could include adding information about sexual orientation and forms of contraception other than abstinence. By Peter Hancock
School district and teachers agree to more contract talks
May 13, 2013
The Lawrence school district and the union that represents its teachers say they are making progress on a new contract for the upcoming school year. But they are waiting on the Kansas legislature to adopt a budget so they can begin talking about salaries. By Peter Hancock
Southwest Middle School names new assistant principal
May 8, 2013
Shaun Hanson has been named assistant principal of Southwest Middle School, effective July 1. He replaces Mat Fearing, who announced his resignation in April. By Peter Hancock
Project Graduation party offers students safe fun and prizes—including an SUV
May 8, 2013
Businesses and parents in Lawrence are coming together through Project Graduation to throw a big party for graduating high school students. The party will have a mechanical bull, cash cages, food, a DJ, casino-themed games and chances to win a variety of prizes including a 1997 Ford Explorer. By Rebekka Schlichting
Tax enables hundreds of adults to earn high school diploma
May 7, 2013
The Lawrence school board recently voted to renew its authority to levy a tax to fund adult basic education. More than 500 students are now enrolled in the program to earn their diplomas or brush up on basic skills. By Peter Hancock
LHS, Free State bring home state speech championships
May 6, 2013
Lawrence High School sophomore Clara Cobb and Free State High School senior Kerrie Leinmiller-Renick brought home first-place trophies at the 6A state speech and drama championships Saturday in Olathe. Bishop Seabury Academy competed for the first time in the 2A division and earned two trophies and placed seventh overall as a team. By Peter Hancock
Local teacher mixes history, mystery, sci-fi for kids in novel
May 5, 2013
With “Saving Mr. Sharp,” a literary mix of mystery, science fiction and the sixth-grade, Lawrence teacher and author Dan Karasek takes aim at hooking elementary- and middle-school students on Kansas history.
School board studies ‘critical race theory’ in work on equity issues
May 4, 2013
The Lawrence school board devoted a three-hour workshop recently to the study of ‘critical race theory’ to understand how race affects many facets of education. Although controversial in some circles, district officials say it’s a useful tool to increase awareness of racial disparities. By Peter Hancock
Assistant school superintendent to resign
May 3, 2013
The Lawrence school district announced that Adam Holden, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, will resign for “personal family reasons.” His resignation is effective June 30. By Peter Hancock
Truancy policies can catch parents by surprise
April 29, 2013
Under state law, a child who has seven or more unexcused absences in an academic year is considered truant and must be reported to state child welfare officials. But what constitutes an “unexcused” absence is left to the discretion of individual school principals—and in Lawrence, policies vary from school to school. By Peter Hancock
Small World celebrates 45 years of helping women learn English, American culture
April 29, 2013
Small World, an international school, is celebrating 45 years of providing women with language skills, new friends and knowledge of American culture. By Rebekka Schlichting
Students’ films, other projects explore turning points in history
April 28, 2013
Seven area students will travel to the University of Maryland this summer to compete in the National History Day contest. Their projects include two documentary films, a website and an original paper. By Peter Hancock
Lawrence school board taking independent lobbying stance
April 24, 2013
After a public split with the Kansas Association of School Boards earlier this year over collective bargaining rights, the Lawrence school board is planning to lobby more independently in the future. But the board hasn’t yet talked about hiring its own lobbyist. By Peter Hancock
School construction projects could begin by April 2014
April 22, 2013
Lawrence school district officials are proposing to break the bond-funded projects into five packages, the first of which would be ready for construction next spring. But officials haven’t yet discussed how to reassign students to other facilities while construction is in progress. By Peter Hancock
Four Lawrence High School students qualify for national speech and debate tournament
April 22, 2013
Four students from Lawrence High School qualified for the National Forensics League national tournament. The tournament will be June 16-21 in Birmingham, Ala. By Peter Hancock
Free State High School associate principal named CTE director for Lawrence schools
April 22, 2013
Free State High School associate principal Patrick Kelly has been named director of career and technical education for the Lawrence school district. Steve Heffernan has been named the new associate principal. By Peter Hancock
School board to begin scheduling bond-funded projects
April 22, 2013
The Lawrence school board will begin discussing the timeline for construction projects that will be funded with the $92.5 million bond issue that voters approved on April 2. By Peter Hancock
Free State High School Honor Roll
April 21, 2013
Free State High School has announced its fall semester honor roll for the 2012-2013 school year.
Academic All-Stars: The Journal-World’s 2013 Academic All-Star team
April 21, 2013
The 2013 Academic All Star team includes students with a wide range of interests and ambition. By Peter Hancock
The Journal-World’s 2013 Academic All-Star nominees
April 21, 2013
Nominees for the Journal-World’s 2013 Academic All-Stars
Academic All-Stars: Top scholar has instinct for when something is right
April 21, 2013
Emilie Padgett of Bishop Seabury Academy is the top scholar on the Journal-World’s 2013 Academic All Star team. She plans to attend Duke University in Durham, N.C., in the fall. By Peter Hancock
Region’s top students honored as 2013 Academic All-Stars
April 21, 2013
The Journal-World’s 2013 Academic All-Stars show commitment to excellence far beyond the classroom. Students selected to the All-Star team were also star athletes, musicians, student council leaders and active volunteers in their churches’ communities. Nine seniors and one junior who is graduating early were designated by judges as Academic All-Stars from a group of 28 students who were nominated by their principals or guidance counselors. By Peter Hancock
Judging was tough in 2013 Academic All-Star competition
April 21, 2013
All of the students on the 2013 Academic All-Star team earned outstanding grades and demonstrated leadership skills. Many also had overcome adversity in their lives. By Peter Hancock
Education a female-dominated profession, except at the top
April 21, 2013
The overwhelming majority of teachers in Kansas are women, especially in elementary school. But most top administrative positions still are held by men. By Peter Hancock
All-stars from 2003: Where are they 10 years later?
April 21, 2013
The 2003 Academic All-Stars have come a long way since being recognized by the Journal-World for their scholastic achievements as high school seniors. Some have traveled the world; others still are in Kansas. They became, among other professions, lawyers, doctors, financial advisers and musicians. A few are married with kids, while a handful still are finishing school. The Journal-World recently tracked them down to find out where their lives have taken them over the past decade, and what the 2003 versions of themselves would think of how they’ve turned out.

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