[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6341566,"mediaKeyId","2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5","parentId",2256775,"title","USD 497 board approves consent agenda including $106,000 instrument services and $26,000 in snowblower replacements","audioSeconds",2713,"startMs",4751000,"endMs",7464000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5&start=4751&end=7464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5/thumbnail_4751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341566/Kansas/USD-497-board-approves-consent-agenda-including-106000-instrument-services-and-26000-in-snowblower-replacements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341566-723d967f47af5ca3e1070926d7a7e17e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061892&Signature=iMg4DBrgaDppX4Yqh6yWTYgTl7FTYMGYkpwXA65aEqD3d9Xm-NWY4tIPRtPlFqdmHd77OQZRw4u8p0EJLnCQTI-UNh8OiMC75y7Kv2juEEZRr9WiBW-kLvRdl~tOOk1spXiiWRbPgg4UZid9cbbQfUZVYBhnezgYXh~h8QSxq~tLYezD6Zc~SfI7zuxu3m~Jb89Yjk9POnM6bbTTOtzyHt1m~k4fGk~VVgi4LBWBLWjqhqYBGqoDvDogv7Z-ol3CGrqLkSGXL9kOTzfk7s3SRtjDQRcLTedtgVWLX1DHxIDnZumUVGZRuaJY1Bx1os6tYxHMlpBZFnNDe2O4fwNI4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence Public Schools","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","The USD 497 Board of Education approved the consent agenda during its regular meeting; the motion passed unanimously.

Committee reports earlier in the meeting had described two items that were on consent: a contract for district-wide musical instrument cleaning and repair costing $106,000 and a purchase of 15 replacement snowblowers for about $26,000 to replace older units experiencing frequent mechanical failure. The items were discussed in committee and carried forward on the consent agenda.

At the consent vote the chair announced the motion to approve the consent agenda passed 7-0.

Board members did not pull these consent items for separate discussion during the meeting; staff noted the purchases were intended to support day-to-day operations and instrument maintenance across schools.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education Meeting | February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the consent agenda unanimously. Items announced earlier by committee included a $106,000 musical instrument cleaning and repair contract and $26,000 to replace 15 district snowblowers.","taxTitle","Lawrence, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",13090,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341571,"Cordley Elementary highlights 'Black Lives Matter at School' week, student projects and community guests",476,2566000,3042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5&start=2566&end=3042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","/articles/6341571/Kansas/Cordley-Elementary-highlights-Black-Lives-Matter-at-School-week-student-projects-and-community-guests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341571-6e2b28884ce2bf706fea6ca67f19a34b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061892&Signature=Ae0QGYTiQE003Zj4buyAS04AsRaOxhZIt2YBGds1HygTDB~9VurnlDwFgCMfKIHXyk~pwWPTgmVIP87pXAn-yHOc2zqCFd3Pb6BU2XA4TJ47PFvPJeBztR1qcyTCEQ4AmnDlPbpdP1z0y1nBpGBB3qafI7-V7fZ5y7VEunoFkfH2uaD1jDwu8qFAQRPLAcIONe8wqPYy~iWwtVO91x-yI8JGcumzGhFhr6AnciMuv~yki~Mc4kq7bCfVaNqHGf03arQ3GJuHJ0EL7DoK47tYd2r19iHhdMo9SRVsFhCU5hVCEWUjWWGLG4CiXlXnvPeiRePBNaZktbHbXsnDmvi3-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal Reaver, representing Cordley Elementary School, presented student work and activities from the school's recent Black Lives Matter at School week of action and thanked the board and community for support.

The principal described curricular and community activities aligned with the national Black Lives Matter at School initiative and one of its 13 guiding principles, the intergenerational principle. Students worked in cross-grade \"Hawk family\" groups, created word clouds and posters, and designed capes to reflect lessons about bravery and civic voice. The principal said about 350 students participated in a cape march in the gym and described guest presentations from Janine Coulter, organizer of Lawrence Juneteenth, and volunteer Marlon Wesley.

Board members praised the program and thanked the school for the presentation. Principal Reaver said the school aims to continue integrating the values and student work into classroom learning and community events.

The presentation was part of the meeting’s special-recognition portion and did not involve any board actions.","Cordley Elementary principal reported on a week of classroom activities tied to Black Lives Matter at School, including cross-grade family groups, student posters and capes, and invited community speakers for a school march and assemblies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341576,"USD 497 proposes deeper monthly equity reporting; board to receive targeted data dives",278,8311000,8589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5&start=8311&end=8589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5/thumbnail_8311000.jpg","/articles/6341576/Kansas/USD-497-proposes-deeper-monthly-equity-reporting-board-to-receive-targeted-data-dives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341576-d95f11562e58432f6f59f527a73890da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061892&Signature=RD5fJNZbyuZMenVJBLPdglN-mNPYJazv6jl5DBgMRgUlgi8uP4j7ZBuN9JnaGMYKeCGB8K-01Q6lO-UTBMriDzGGG-tGd6I9lKvLGR-Ro2HZcbLXkgh2oxW~391Ubz7iDEms1fmD4OYeOUDEt7gIawS7QP6tAe7GGSlV3v68ukewjQjMUk1E7PDzTG92f~vsApaB8dacrXCxd4MwuflhZzOh-nJNcw4BeXSfDsQlCKT7dzOrHDqCDl5xR9CQfgkRHQVaJTTNwAEFanPhWwVD9XM99nRMjLaNv3aX5aQTIQvPe8tDTX9sJzX18GDm0zQ2ybSXL6SWHJnkKntgU-oSqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Janice Swift told the board the district plans to shift from a single broad equity report to a cadence of targeted, deeper dives on discrete topics across the school year.

\"We explored all of the areas listed on your document, enrollment and class size, graduation, CTE, state assessment, ACT achievement, absence, attendance and absenteeism, student behavior, restorative processes and suspensions, partnerships, human resources and special programs,\" Dr. Swift said, summarizing the equity-advisory group's recommendations.

Under the proposal, the district would deliver focused reviews on one or a few equity topics each month during the school year, and compile a holistic \"state of the schools\" summary once or twice annually. Dr. Swift said district data staff have worked to map enrollment and class-size data and that the new approach is intended to surface actionable findings rather than broad, shallow summaries.

Board members and equity-advisory participants welcomed the change during the meeting, saying deeper topic-by-topic reports should make it easier to identify causes and target interventions. The board discussed timing and the advisory group's role in reviewing artifacts and suggested indicators before items reach the full board.

The board asked staff to finalize an implementation rhythm and a list of expected artifacts and indicators for each topic. Enrollment and class-size reporting was identified as the next scheduled deep-dive topic.","Superintendent Janice Swift presented a proposed change to the district’s equity reporting cycle: narrower, deeper monthly reports on specific topics (enrollment, class size, program participation) and periodic comprehensive 'state of the schools' updates.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341578,"Heated public-comment exchange leads USD 497 board to briefly move comments; board later restores slot",1985,5010000,6995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5&start=5010&end=6995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5/thumbnail_5010000.jpg","/articles/6341578/Kansas/Heated-public-comment-exchange-leads-USD-497-board-to-briefly-move-comments-board-later-restores-slot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341578-348b735ed1da65452fc77c03e11df969/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061892&Signature=QFxxkSrlTy4YXXtaee~sKvRbxCitmSJFpF3-x0weiFBd1xZ0b9OlQax7ov1a0sEvnGnxcbhRfzLicVcgaiLJQB05iuWzCGnfqZkCigmgIqKXdn~ZTS7FdsEUWUPgLSd8CMxAJnaLWcTfaiJ1MPg4BBoslBMybNsDGIivw4fM7AXlFXRzDBZe1oNlsJwd6A4F6VFnqbJ73og5RFOeiRBDeVZjHOjlz2l1LSCZ5RT3ziEf-O-zDnUs4Ge-9XU9GM9Vq9r9TRLdhTzUefqrIZ7QH71E21v2z5TOh-7ITdxFEP6Bf2hHIQakSmGzj-Dz-O~aXV-Iif0JzHcmcxMl6f2lgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Lawrence USD 497 school board meeting devolved into repeated interruptions and profanity, prompting board members to alter the meeting agenda and then reverse that change.

During the public-comment period Dr. Justin Spies and another in-person speaker disrupted the meeting with repeated interruptions and profanity. Board President Kelly Jones twice paused speakers’ time for disruptive behavior and warned attendees about decorum rules. \"You are disrupting the meeting,\" Jones told a speaker as she paused the timer.

Faced with the interruptions and with no immediate assistance available to enforce decorum, a board member moved to amend the agenda and move the public-comment period to the end of the meeting. The motion to move public comment to the end passed on voice vote; board members recorded the motion as passing (initially recorded as 7-0 by the chair during the meeting record). Later in the meeting, following further discussion among board members about how to proceed without law-enforcement assistance, another motion to reopen public comment and restore it to its original place on the agenda passed 6-1.

Several public speakers used their allotted time to criticize board conduct and district policy. One speaker, Carrie Schmidt, read a list of book titles and criticized the board for inconsistent enforcement of language rules during public comment while material with explicit language is available in district libraries and school collections.

Board members debated the practical limits of public comment when the district lacks on-site enforcement resources. Some board members said they supported strict decorum enforcement to protect staff and observers; others said curtailing public comment risks silencing a portion of the public and undermining civic participation. After a series of motions and a brief recess, the board returned public comment to its place on the agenda and continued with planned business.

No formal disciplinary outcomes for speakers were announced at the meeting. Board members said they would consider revising procedures for public comment and possible alternate channels for input if disruptions continue.","A contentious public-comment period, including extended interruptions and profanity from multiple speakers, prompted the board to vote to move public comment to the end of the agenda. After debate among members the board voted to restore public comment to its original place in the meeting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6341580,"Lawrence USD 497 says police investigating Prairie Park support staff; district offers crisis outreach",190,2971000,3161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5&start=2971&end=3161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256775-4d4b1c411a26a35bfa950d9c3a84e1a5/thumbnail_2971000.jpg","/articles/6341580/Kansas/Lawrence-USD-497-says-police-investigating-Prairie-Park-support-staff-district-offers-crisis-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341580-8fd9b394c1e7b35bdfc373b80497e778/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061892&Signature=V025yorWgkOAXY1~oDjZOTQaQ1QiA92O2NAz2Zw0SNJyXJQ5b59oPO19fJtsqEaJ3IYUTFooQyTjNCMaIQFegVB2R8h~v-iit7bm2JL93j4-T4z-23mFteVQiDAHS-ZED1JElznI2sgyxXgUho2ZkmnKamOVl0pvZD0owMw8DTAnkgCxV~9eucm6cJ201seWMwBfAE64XLMB17lPe40mviN4pmJcd9D1nu8PaAQrqZpIaS0ukaegZkr95wt2BIkUIzOe~ReSynJxZA8hNLvur5~20s7kIIYnSZfpyrja-3AV-jmjG2HEzfX552tL5ody~I14iFQgKjcnw-prJTPHNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Janice Swift, interim superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497), told the school board that the Lawrence Police Department is investigating a Prairie Park Elementary support staff member and that the district is cooperating with law enforcement.

\"We have been informed by the Lawrence Police Department recently that there is an investigation, involving a Prairie Park Elementary support staff member,\" Dr. Swift said during her superintendent's report. She said district crisis-support staff were making initial outreach calls to Prairie Park families and that the police had established a phone line for families with questions or information: (785) 830-7430.

The district said it will keep staff and families informed “throughout the process as there is information to share.” Dr. Swift added that student safety remains the district’s top priority and that the district is coordinating with the Lawrence Police Department on investigative efforts. She also reiterated district messaging promising to protect students’ safety and privacy and to ensure equal access to education for all children, regardless of immigration or other status.

Board members acknowledged the district’s outreach steps and repeated the police tip line during the meeting.

The board did not take public action on the matter during the meeting; executive-session motions to discuss personnel matters were made under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) non-elected personnel exception and the board repeatedly recessed to executive session for personnel discussions, with statements that no action would follow when they returned to open session.

The district asked families with questions or information about the investigation to contact the Lawrence Police Department at the number Dr. Swift provided. The board also noted district crisis supports would continue outreach in the coming days.","The Lawrence USD 497 superintendent told the school board that the Lawrence Police Department is investigating a support staff member at Prairie Park Elementary. The district said crisis-support staff are contacting affected families and provided a police tip line.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

USD 497 board approves consent agenda including $106,000 instrument services and $26,000 in snowblower replacements

Cordley Elementary highlights 'Black Lives Matter at School' week, student projects and community guests

USD 497 proposes deeper monthly equity reporting; board to receive targeted data dives

Heated public-comment exchange leads USD 497 board to briefly move comments; board later restores slot

Lawrence USD 497 says police investigating Prairie Park support staff; district offers crisis outreach