photo by: Journal-World

The Lawrence school district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.

Lawrence school board President Erica Hill has called a special meeting of the board later this month to consider proposals to address the school district’s budget shortfall.

The Lawrence school district has been discussing various options to address the multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, including the possibility of closing multiple schools. Residents and families have voiced opposition to the prospect of school closures, and have raised questions about equity, as all the proposed closures are in eastern Lawrence and North Lawrence.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 21, according to a district news release. The purpose of the special meeting is for the board to discuss budget-saving proposals and consider a resolution to publish a notice of public hearing regarding potential school closures. The district is required by law to publish notice of such hearings within a specific time frame of the hearing. Tentative dates for the hearing or hearings are March 21-23.

The school board is also scheduled to meet on Monday. At that meeting, the board will review the results of an equity impact analysis completed by several board and district advisory committees as part of a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 9, according to school district spokesperson Julie Boyle.

Previously, the school board was scheduled to consider the resolution to publish a notice of public hearing for potential school closures at its meeting Feb. 14. Hill said in the news release that revising the timeline and adding the special meeting would give the board more time to review budget proposals.

“The board also will invite additional public comment during this meeting,” Hill said in the release. “I understand that the examination of school closure scenarios as part of the budget planning process makes for difficult and emotional discussions for our community. I know the board and administration appreciate, as I do, the community’s input and advocacy on behalf of our schools. I also want to thank staff and community members for their service on advisory committees during this process.”