photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift, talks with former school board president Shannon Kimball during a meet and greet on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.

The Lawrence school district hosted a meet-and-greet and hired Jeanice Swift to be interim superintendent on Monday. Swift said she looks forward to the opportunity and the journey ahead.

“It takes a village, and I have felt (in) every visit to Lawrence the presence of that village, and that’s what drew me to Lawrence and that’s what confirms my part of this decision.

“We will continue to dedicate our energy to continuing the service and responsiveness to the students of Lawrence Public Schools and to supporting our teachers and staff (along with) our families and our community,” Swift said. “I’m committed to listening, learning and working alongside that most important work of serving our children and ensuring a high quality education for every child every day.”

The school board approved a contract on Monday for Swift, a former superintendent with Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan, for the yearlong interim superintendent job. Prior to the school board meeting, there was a community meet-and-greet for Swift.

The contract will run from Aug. 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and Swift will be paid a salary of $194,482.08. Deputy Superintendent Larry Englebrick, who was one of the finalists for the interim superintendent job, will act as superintendent until Aug. 30.

As the Journal-World reported, Swift was chosen for the position despite a contentious end to her tenure in Ann Arbor. Michigan media reports indicate that she resigned in December 2023 after the local school board began termination proceedings. Swift informed the Journal-World that the Lawrence school board was aware of this situation.

The exact reasons behind her resignation are unclear. However, Lawrence district spokeswoman Julie Boyle previously clarified to the Journal-World that it was not related to a 2020 incident involving a second-grader with special needs who was assaulted by a bus aide in the Ann Arbor district. The unresolved allegations surrounding the mishandling of this incident eventually led to an ongoing lawsuit.

Several members of the school board reiterated that they believe Swift is more than qualified for the position.

“Since announcing her pending hire, I have received words of congratulations from individuals who worked directly with Dr. Swift in Ann Arbor Public Schools, including former school board members, teachers, parents and staff who praised her as a superintendent,” said School Board President Kelly Jones. “This input has further assumed that we are hiring a public educator who will work to build relationships and trust with the people who make up Lawrence Public Schools, and in particular, our students.”

“I think what’s important for the community to know is that we as a board stand firm behind our choice,” said board member Bob Byers. “We think she is and will be an excellent interim superintendent, and so I would like to welcome her to the community.”

In other business, board members:

* Heard a presentation from Justin Blumenstiel, a parent and University of Kansas professor, in favor of the teacher policy for phone-free schools during public comment. Blumenstiel created his own petition with signatures from parents in support of this change in policy. His petition has received 108 signatures.

As the Journal-World reported, educators in the school district said at the school board meeting on June 24 that the current policy, which states that cellphones should be “put away and out of sight,” is problematic because it’s inconsistent from classroom to classroom. The petition was discussed after many districts across Kansas implemented phone-free policies, in response to the growing mental health crisis among young people linked to social media use.

* Appointed Janice Dunn as acting board clerk and executive assistant to the interim superintendent while the hiring process for a permanent superintendent is underway. The position will help ensure the continued smooth operation of the school board’s administrative functions, according to the school board’s meeting agenda.

* Approved a continued agreement with Morgan Hunter Education LLC to provide substitute teachers and approve rates for substitute teachers in the district.

Morgan Hunter Education LLC partners with school districts to manage and supply certified substitute teachers. Their services encompass recruitment, background checks, and payroll administration. As outlined in the school board agenda, this organization helps schools ensure a reliable and qualified pool of substitutes, thereby supporting consistent classroom instruction during teacher absences.

Last year, the daily pay rates were $135, with long-term substitutes receiving $160 per day. The administration recommends keeping these rates for the 2024-2025 school year.

* Heard a report highlighting the district’s various programs designed to support students in maintaining academic progress and acquiring new skills over the summer. According to the meeting agenda, these summer learning initiatives aim to prevent the “summer slide,” a phenomenon where students lose academic skills and knowledge during the break.

* Approved $2,430,000 worth of contracts for a variety of special education services for students with disabilities in order to meet the needs of their individual education plans.

The board also met for three executive sessions during the meeting to discuss personnel matters, with Swift invited to be present. Following the executive sessions, there was no action to follow.