photo by: Lawrence Journal-World

The Lawrence school board will meet on Monday, August 26, 2024 at the Lawrence district offices, 110 McDonald Dr.

Lawrence school board leaders will continue their discussion of legislative priorities as part of their meeting Monday.

The board began the discussion on Oct. 10, which was earlier than usual, with the goal of being more prepared to represent the district’s positions ahead of what district leadership expects to be a potentially impactful legislative session.

Recent proposals at the state level have included the so-called Parental Bill of Rights, proposed restrictions on transgender athletes, and vouchers to funnel money away from public schools. Funding for special education has also been a key topic of debate.

As part of the Oct. 10 meeting, Superintendent Anthony Lewis presented three administrative recommendations related to the priorities statement. Those included a recommendation that the district’s statement reference its equity policy and address components of the Kansas Senate substitute for House Bill 2567, which contains various funding and policy provisions, as the Journal-World reported. Both Lewis and Board President Shannon Kimball expressed concern for potential legislation regarding public schools in the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January.

In other business, the board will receive a report about the board’s strategic plan goal of providing “safe and supportive schools.” The district’s Inclusion, Engagement, and Belonging department oversees the goal, according to a district memo. The memo states that the presentation will include assessment data for marginalized populations; academic, attendance and behavior data; information about closing access, opportunity and achievement gaps; and information about various students supports, among other data. As of Friday afternoon, the report was not yet attached to the board’s agenda.

The memo states that schools must be accepting and responsive to establish a safe and supportive environment, which is accomplished by addressing various areas. Those include building relationships, reducing inappropriate behaviors, incorporating restorative practices, implementing mental health resources, engaging in social-emotional learning activities, disrupting systemic racism, and advancing educational equity, among others, according to the memo.

The Lawrence school board will convene at 6 p.m. Monday at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.