photo by: Journal-World

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

The Lawrence school board at its Monday meeting will be interviewing a firm to assist with the district’s search for a permanent superintendent, whom the board hopes to have in place by the start of the next school year.

Board members will be interviewing representatives from McPherson & Jacobson LLC as a possible search firm to aid with tasks associated with selecting a new district leader.

The board will also interview the Kansas Association of School Boards, a nonprofit service agency that worked with the board to collect and vet applicants for the interim superintendent position earlier this summer. The board interviewed three finalists, including Jeanice Swift, who was selected as the interim superintendent, to take over for Anthony Lewis, who resigned earlier this year.

In addition, the district’s human resources department, an ad hoc search committee, union representatives and community members will all collaborate in the search process, which is expected to run from November through March.

Swift’s contract is set to run through June 30, 2025. While she is eligible to apply for the permanent position, she has not yet indicated plans to do so.

In other business, school board members will:

* Consider approving the construction bid from Tandem Paving Company Inc. in the amount of $270,675 for asphalt and concrete maintenance and improvements at the Educational Support Center, Lawrence College and Career Center and Lawrence High School. The total project budget, including a 10% contingency fund of $27,000 and an allowance of $20,926 for testing and engineering services, is $318,601. Money for the project will come from Capital Outlay funds.

* Consider authorizing Free State High School staff and the band booster group to sell the current band uniforms at the most competitive price. Proceeds will be deposited in the Capital Outlay Fund. Any unsold uniforms after one year will be listed for sale on Purple Wave, the online auction site typically used by the school district.

* Hold an executive session “to discuss matters which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship under the Kansas Open Meetings Act; with Dr. Larry Englebrick, deputy superintendent; Kristen Ryan, executive director of human resources; and Brad Finkeldei, legal counsel; invited to be present.” No board action will follow the session.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. The meeting will also be available via the school district’s YouTube channel. Residents who want to share comments with the board may sign up in advance by emailing PublicComment@usd497.org by 6 p.m. Monday and may participate in person or via Webex video/phone conferencing.