Lawrence USD 497 school board

A looming decision to fill a recently vacated seat on the Lawrence school board will be made during Monday night’s regular board meeting, concluding with in-person interviews of the four finalists.  

The seat vacated by Kay Emerson in late May is the second vacancy that the board has grappled with in less than a year. On June 20, the list of eight candidates for the vacancy was narrowed down to four finalists: Robert Byers, Paul Carttar, Rebekah Gaston and Rachel Thomas.  

On Monday, the board will interview each of them and vote on which one to appoint to the vacant seat. The new appointee will be sworn in at the board’s July 10 meeting, and their term will last through January 2026.

In other business, the board will:

• Honor Sandra Gautt, a local volunteer and president of the Lawrence Schools Foundation, with the district’s Outstanding Service to Public Education award.

• Review a 113-page draft version of the district’s needs assessment. This report delves into curriculum, staffing, building, student, family, and community needs and is mandated by the state as part of the district’s budget-planning and accreditation processes.

• Hear a strategic plan report and fourth quarter update related to progress made toward the district’s safe and supportive schools and equity goals. The report provides a snapshot of academics, behavior and attendance data.

As part of its consent agenda, the board will:

• Consider a memorandum of understanding with the City of Lawrence and Lawrence Police Department to continue overseeing the district’s School Resource Officer program for the 2023-24 school year.

• Consider approval of recommended updated facilities rental guidelines and fees for public uses of school buildings.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the district office, 110 McDonald Drive.