K-12 schools and education

KU to celebrate 140th anniversary of first Arbor Day on campus with special event Friday
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 25, 2018
Not too long ago, the state’s flagship university was losing more of its beloved trees than could be kept up with. In 2012, the University of Kansas removed 87 trees from its campus atop Mount Oread, planting only 42 new trees to make up the difference. But, thanks to the efforts of KU’s Replant Mount Oread initiative, also launched in 2012, the gap has been slowly closed over the past few years. Since the program’s inception, students and others in the KU community have helped plant 175 trees, also adding to the rolling landscape’s beauty with plantings of irises, peonies, vinca and shrubs.
How many Lawrence students participated in last week’s walkout? Tough to say, but district provides some clue
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 24, 2018
On Friday, hundreds of students across Lawrence walked out of classes to protest gun violence and advocate for policy change. How many, exactly, isn’t clear, but numbers shared with the Journal-World offer some clues.
Lawrence school board takes second look at spending priorities
By Elvyn Jones
April 23, 2018
The Lawrence school board took another look Monday at how it will spend new money it expects to get for the 2018-2019 school year without yet knowing how much additional revenue it will get.
Lawrence school board to again discuss 2018-2019 funding priorities
By Elvyn Jones
April 22, 2018
The district’s financial director again will update the Lawrence school board Monday on the district’s 2018-2019 budget outlook as a prelude to discussion on next year’s spending priorities.
At his official inauguration as KU’s 18th chancellor, Girod calls for university to expand its reach and research
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 20, 2018
Douglas Girod outlined his goals for the University of Kansas during an inauguration ceremony Friday that officially installed him as KU’s 18th chancellor.
Hundreds of Lawrence students gather in South Park for National School Walkout rally
By Joanna Hlavacek
11:53 a.m., April 20, 2018 Updated 02:15 p.m.
Hundreds of Lawrence students walked out of classes in protest of gun violence Friday, the 19th anniversary of the deadly Columbine shooting. The students were among countless young people taking part in walkouts across the country as part of the National School Walkout movement.
LHS alumna receives prestigious Truman scholarship
Staff Report
April 18, 2018
Lawrence High School alumna Sadie Keller has been named a 2018 Truman Scholar, the Lawrence school district announced earlier this month.
Former South teacher fails to appear in court after arrest on criminal trespass, disorderly conduct charges
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 17, 2018
Chris Cobb, the former South Middle School teacher who was arrested last month after a reported outburst at the school, has missed his first appearance in court.
KU appoints liberal arts dean to interim provost role, replacing outgoing Neeli Bendapudi
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 17, 2018
The University of Kansas has announced Carl Lejuez as its interim provost and executive vice chancellor. Lejuez, who is currently dean of KU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, will move into the role April 30, replacing outgoing provost Neeli Bendapudi.
Sixth-grade boy charged with felony after alleged shooting threat at Lawrence middle school
By Sara Shepherd
02:27 p.m., April 13, 2018 Updated 05:17 p.m.
A student has been charged with a crime following an alleged school shooting threat in March at a Lawrence middle school.
After going viral last fall, ‘What Were You Wearing?’ exhibit returns to KU; display challenges victim blaming
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 13, 2018
For years, the project received little attention, not even garnering a mention in the student newspaper. That all changed in September 2017, when Jen Brockman’s “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit made its way to the University of Kansas.
Additional SROs, other safety measures still high priorities for Lawrence schools despite low rankings in recent report, officials say
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 12, 2018
In Lawrence, as in much of the country, talk has intensified in recent months around school safety and the various solutions proposed to prevent tragedies like February’s deadly school shooting in Parkland, Fla.
Colyer wants quick fix to Kansas school funding bill; others want to reopen entire debate
By Peter Hancock
April 11, 2018
Gov. Jeff Colyer said Wednesday that he wants lawmakers to fix an $80 million error in the school funding bill they passed Sunday morning without trying to make major changes to the bill, but others say the error poses an opportunity to reopen the entire school funding debate.
Incoming superintendent calls on business leaders to support Lawrence schools in quest for ‘flagship’ status
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 10, 2018
Incoming superintendent Anthony Lewis believes Lawrence Public Schools have the potential to become the state’s “flagship school district.” On Tuesday, he called on Lawrence business leaders to help him turn that vision into a reality.
Error in Kansas Legislature’s school finance plan complicates budget decisions for Lawrence school board
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 9, 2018
The Lawrence school district could see anywhere from $1.7 million to $4 million in additional funding from the Kansas Legislature’s newly passed school finance plan.
School board member: Parents ‘frustrated’ by frequency of recent school threats, district’s communication methods
By Joanna Hlavacek
06:42 p.m., April 9, 2018 Updated 09:48 p.m.
Schools across America have seen increased numbers of threats since February’s deadly shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school. Lawrence is no exception, and one school in particular seems particularly hard hit.
Lawrence school district selects new Quail Run principal, pending board approval
Staff Report
April 9, 2018
The Lawrence school district has chosen a new principal for Quail Run Elementary, pending approval by the school board.
Attorney for schools says Kansas funding bill is inadequate
Mitchell Willetts, Associated Press
12:13 p.m., April 9, 2018 Updated 04:18 p.m.
Kansas legislators worked late hours through the weekend to pass a new school finance bill, but the effort may not be enough to please the state Supreme Court.
British artist who plants pansies at sites of homophobic abuse brings his project to Lawrence
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 8, 2018
There’s a single pansy planted atop the steps near the Campanile. A few yards away, along Memorial Drive, there’s another one. The bright-faced, happy little flowers now adorn several spots around the University of Kansas campus.
With added money approved, Lawrence school board to consider funding priorities for next year
By Elvyn Jones
April 8, 2018
Lawrence schools are expected to see an additional $3.5 million in funding from the Kansas Legislature’s newly passed school finance plan, and district leaders will begin discussing how to spend that money on Monday.
School finance negotiators take first steps, but House and Senate still far apart
By Peter Hancock
05:58 p.m., April 6, 2018 Updated 09:22 p.m.
House and Senate negotiators took initial steps Friday toward reaching a compromise on a school funding bill. But the two sides are still far apart on the central issue of deciding what constitutes “adequate” funding, and the clock is ticking on a constitutional deadline to end the 2018 session by Saturday night.
Kansas Senate passes school funding bill, setting up conference negotiations with House
By Peter Hancock
04:49 p.m., April 5, 2018 Updated 06:37 p.m.
The Kansas Senate on Thursday narrowly passed its own version of a school finance bill that is considerably smaller than one passed by the House earlier in the week. The 21-18 vote sets up a conference committee with the House.
Kansas House Judiciary panel advances constitutional amendment on school funding
By Peter Hancock
05:30 p.m., April 4, 2018 Updated 06:08 p.m.
The proposed amendment was changed significantly in the House Judiciary Committee, but it would still give the Legislature exclusive authority to determine whether the funding they provide for schools is adequate. Courts would still have authority to review equity issues.
No decision has been made on later high school start times, Lawrence school board leader assures parents
By Elvyn Jones
April 3, 2018
Lawrence school board President Shannon Kimball assured those attending community conversation Tuesday evening that no decision has been made to change the start times at district high schools.
On second try, Kansas House passes school finance bill
By Peter Hancock
12:46 p.m., April 3, 2018 Updated 08:47 p.m.
The bill, which the House rejected on Monday but passed on Tuesday, would phase in more than $500 million in new public school funding over the next five years.
Business and farm groups pushing constitutional amendment on school finance
By Peter Hancock
April 2, 2018
The House Judiciary Committee will hold two days of hearings, Tuesday and Wednesday, on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Legislature exclusive discretion to decide what constitutes adequate funding for public schools.
Police called to Southwest Middle School after student allegedly admits ‘thoughts of harming others’
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 2, 2018
Police were called to Southwest Middle School on Monday after a student reportedly told staff about “thoughts of harming others,” district spokeswoman Julie Boyle said.
Kansas House rejects school finance bill; now it’s back to the drawing board
By Peter Hancock
04:10 p.m., April 2, 2018 Updated 06:50 p.m.
The Kansas House will have to go back to the drawing board to come up with a new school finance formula after rejecting one Monday that would have phased in an increase of more than $500 million per year in funding for public schools over the next five years.
South Middle School principal provides new details on former teacher’s alleged outburst, arrest; says no individuals were threatened
By Joanna Hlavacek
April 2, 2018
Last Thursday, students and staff at South Middle School were put on lockdown after a former teacher allegedly turned up at the school unannounced and reportedly drunk, making a scene that culminated in his arrest.
As northwest Lawrence grows, homeowners may find they are in Perry-Lecompton school district
By Elvyn Jones
April 2, 2018
Development south of Interstate 70 and east of Kansas Highway 10, where the Perry-Lecompton and Lawrence school districts border like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, is bringing home the reality that Lawrence is a two school district community.

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