photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The Lawrence school board held their business meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Lawrence school board members decided to hire a firm to aid in the search for a permanent superintendent to lead the school district.

At the meeting on Monday, board members agreed to hire a firm to coordinate the tasks associated with selecting a new superintendent for the Lawrence school district. The district’s human resources department, an ad hoc search committee, union leadership and community members will also help conduct the search, according to the agenda.

School board president Kelly Jones said that the board is expected to develop a request for proposals from search firms soon, and Jones estimated that the board could choose a search firm in October.

As the Journal-World reported, once the search firm is selected, the search process will begin for the permanent superintendent. This will include community engagement and feedback efforts, and is expected to take place between November and March. The process would allow for a new superintendent to be in place before the next school year begins. Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift’s contract will run through June 30, 2025. She is eligible to apply for the permanent position, but has not indicated if she would or not.

“We want to have a process that really is inclusive of our students, staff, faculty, community members, (and) board members to make sure that voices are heard and that when we welcome our permanent superintendent, we all agree that we have a candidate that we’re excited about and that we want to lead our schools going into the future,” Jones said.

The agenda mentioned that the Search Process committee’s objective would be to direct the search firm’s work to ensure a participatory decision-making process, with Lawrence Public Schools communities actively engaging in the superintendent selection.

The committee would include human resources Executive Director Kristen Ryan, one additional HR staff member, school board members Jones, GR Gordon-Ross and Bob Byers, and up to three district classified and certified union representatives.

In other business, school board members:

* Heard a report from Deputy Superintendent Larry Englebrick on a study of the performing arts centers in the district’s secondary schools that identified several safety concerns. The purpose of the study was to identify areas of safety concern, areas of inequity between the facilities, and to provide general recommendations for improvement.

This study, carried out over the past fall and spring, included a survey and a physical audit that evaluated architectural features, primary finishes, lobby and access area details — including doors, windows, and ticketing areas — and the flow of patrons, students, performers, and staff. Additionally, it assessed performing arts equipment and seating arrangements, among other factors.

The study revealed significant deficiencies in the district’s theatrical systems, as well as several safety concerns. At Free State High School, some electrical boxes lack proper covers. At Lawrence High School, the catwalk over the auditorium needs urgent repairs, especially due to vibrations caused by the new motorized lighting. Billy Mills Middle School has a long ladder to the catwalks without fall protection, which should be replaced or reconfigured. At Southwest Middle School, the ladder to the catwalk should be replaced with an alternating tread device or spiral stair. Lastly, at West Middle School, scenery battens hung from electrical conduit need to be removed.

In addition to the study on the performing arts centers, Englebrick told the board at the meeting that an athletics facility study will be made available in late November.

Previous school board president Shannon Kimball said that this is one of many assessments that will need to be done to the district’s facilities. After going through additional similar presentations, the board will be able to access and have conversations on what the facility and capital needs are.

* Approved a construction bid in the amount of $305,335 for the renovation of former kindergarten classrooms into life skills classrooms at Community Connections at Pinckney.

These classrooms will become a part of the Lawrence school district’s Community Transition program, which bridges the gap between high school and adult life for young adults with disabilities. It will focus on practical skills for independent living and employment, providing special education services to students up to age 21. According to the agenda, the program includes simulated apartment environments where students practice essential daily living skills such as food safety, laundry, personal hygiene, and budgeting.

To enhance the program, the district proposes remodeling two classrooms into simulated apartments with one being ADA-compliant. The expected outcomes of creating these simulated apartments are to increase independence, better employment readiness and build confidence in navigating public spaces and using community resources.

* Authorized the purchase of two ovens, two heated holding/proofing cabinets, a dough divider/rounder, and a bread/bun/bagel slicer for the Community Connections at Pinckney Bakery from Sunflower Restaurant Supply at a total cost of $87,370 to be paid from Food Service funds and reimbursed through Kansas Department of Agriculture grant funds.

As the Journal-World reported, the Lawrence school district has been awarded $99,958 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and KDA to establish a bakery in the former Pinckney Elementary building. This bakery will produce locally sourced grain products for school meals. This grant is part of a broader effort, with 49 grants distributed statewide under the USDA AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, aimed at enhancing local and regional food systems by creating new revenue opportunities for farmers.

The remaining grant funds totaling $12,588.21 will be used to purchase small wares and other necessary supplies for the bakery, according to the agenda.

The school board also held three executive sessions to discuss personnel matters of non-elected individuals. Swift, Englebrick and Ryan were invited to be present. During one of the sessions, Jones moved to take action on a resolution to terminate an employee’s contract due to a breach of contract and failure to report to work. The second and third sessions did not have action to follow.