photo by: Lawrence school district

Kenneth St. Pierre

Updated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023

The Lawrence school district’s Native American Student Services program coordinator has resigned from his position.

The coordinator, Kenny St. Pierre, made the announcement Wednesday via Facebook.

The program, which has served American Indian/Alaska Native students in the district since 1972, prioritizes academic support, such as tutors and peer mentors for students, as well as cultural programming.

St. Pierre called the decision a “difficult choice” made with a “heavy heart.” Named to the role in September 2022, he said that he has “cherished every moment of my time here” while working to develop “relationships with students and their families.”

“I want to express my deepest appreciation and love for each and every one of you,” St. Pierre said in the Facebook post. “The relationships we’ve formed, the memories we’ve created, and the lessons we’ve learned together will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

As the Journal-World reported, St. Pierre, during a public input session hosted by the Lawrence school board on Dec. 4, had expressed frustration about the NASS program’s “limited funding.”

“How are we going to be sustainable for our teachers and our students in Lawrence public schools?” St. Pierre asked at that session. “It doesn’t seem that we can do our job effectively with limited funds.”

St. Pierre estimated that once the salaries for the department’s two staff members were paid, there would only be about $10,000 remaining to fund a department that has more than 350 students eligible to receive NASS funding.

According to the district, St. Pierre’s salary for the current school year is $65,520, and NASS Administrative Assistant Coordinator Shayla Chickaway’s salary is $37,024.

A spokeswoman for the school district, Julie Boyle, told the Journal-World that St. Pierre had informed the district that he was resigning to take another job.

“The district appreciates his service, both as a teacher and coordinator of NASS, and wishes him success in his new position,” Boyle said in an email. “The district plans to post the open position and welcomes qualified individuals to apply.”