[{"_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",6226901,"mediaKeyId","3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659","parentId",3500943,"title","Board hears concerns about parking at new Oliver and Leahy schools; district and city to continue talks","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",7366000,"endMs",7679000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659&start=7366&end=7679","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659/thumbnail_7366000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226901/Massachusetts/Board-hears-concerns-about-parking-at-new-Oliver-and-Leahy-schools-district-and-city-to-continue-talks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226901-2af860ead50568d06885c0cd1c6a922e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437097&Signature=Jn1AS2AmTwHvfj4eQJIerRbx0zyYS9uuTFImha5NY5q5BOzXrV6XcBoy7pse6tn3H87kwksCxlBontuXP3wgzAFV-~SBp7Fj4KYwBpqtvzS1sXQtuAoRD1QHNUuV~lv3pO8-8Lw0zk3wuUt~mFBNtVu95d2PaTJkOjlFq09fAQLzt8WNSZnFaFQZnj0beQyOkVLUFpRh~Hy87JpJueeAMOEHApaYs~qmPAkyihKSz0cF-xF8Zvvk4RaL1igvW936-oo37AGdQCijfcAMDcL5QljHkmOVzF77tx32jj3o92vNBcLfGgQw~wxW-uWyRL1MyNUstFaTyJa8lTO~-Baeng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-25T00:58:51.753Z","article","Board members raised concerns at the May 14 meeting about parking availability near two new school buildings, and district operations staff said they have been discussing options with city departments and potential community partners.

Odanis Hernandez, chief of operations, described a facilities update and noted that new school projects were designed with limited or no on‑site parking. Speakers including Superintendent Ralph Guerrero and operations staff said the Oliver School was not designed with parking spaces as part of the project, and the new Leahy School includes roughly 25 parking spaces under a garage; the district is continuing conversations with the city on additional mitigation measures.

Why it matters: parking constraints affect staff, families, volunteers and after‑school events; board members said they want a concrete plan for the openings of the new buildings and asked for an update at the June meeting.

Details from the meeting
- Oliver School: presenters said the Oliver project was never intended to include parking; limited nearby street parking and new city parking‑meter changes have reduced spaces in adjacent areas, according to staff comments.
- Leahy School: staff said approximately 25 parking spaces will be available adjacent to the new Leahy building (under a garage/side lot).
- City coordination: staff said they have met with the planning department and other city offices to explore options, and suggested additional outreach to private property owners as part of mitigation discussions.

Next steps
District operations staff said they will provide the board with an update on parking and other site preparations before the new buildings open for the next school year. Board members requested a status report at the June meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence Alliance for Education Board Meeting May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members and administrators discussed parking constraints for two newly constructed schools — Oliver and Leahy — and said the district is working with city departments on mitigation, including limited on‑site spaces and off‑site options.","taxTitle","Lawrence Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",38530,"location","Massachusetts","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},6226906,"Lawrence educators report Dominican Republic immersion, plan culturally responsive coaching and curriculum changes",1391,6712000,8103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659&start=6712&end=8103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659/thumbnail_6712000.jpg","/articles/6226906/Massachusetts/Lawrence-educators-report-Dominican-Republic-immersion-plan-culturally-responsive-coaching-and-curriculum-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226906-b8fb6059f8683f650948dfb2bb63083a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437096&Signature=IQLwbF5jSSa8lMN0HSvRst1DcRTb0D-4VHD6eInQBV6O5ej4-Ye7TTUSbL301on1HE0mvtMTbRoq8dVZhZ3vOQ1eQ8MXad66P~CTQHfKQk3vlsE~7TPyMrI3HBvb6NFw38VS~alPxtlOQSKFaUMLTSiB7ldXZkxHpVnpBCN7IBWjGBbfvsLzgEGj0Gk8G8fyQVpV55IFPp3LnFStmkFWeb-EWZQLbna0fKLEqUvd2ZVYfqq0JwS9Lzokm33npVDzUYpB~GyLL0SmgrK6E9EqAkdPUVK~zS8M8qayHtHhJ5NWwG1eZzSaR-2HuS681fpkApY0U0WQNOiYauF-AUeFSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eleven Lawrence educators — classroom teachers and district coaches — described a weeklong cultural‑immersion trip to the Dominican Republic at the May 14 Lawrence Public Schools meeting and outlined plans to use what they learned to change instruction, professional development and family engagement.

The presenters, led by Doctor Peña (on Zoom), said the visit included classroom observations across Santo Domingo, La Vega and Puerto Plata; meetings with curriculum specialists; community home visits; and work with nonprofit groups such as the Pedro Martínez Foundation. Teachers reported observing large classes, focused literacy work, family‑centered community programs and an instructional emphasis on oral storytelling and social‑emotional learning.

Why it matters: district leaders said Lawrence has a high share of multilingual learners and students recently arriving from other countries; teachers said first‑hand experience with families’ cultural contexts helps shape instruction, improve relationships and inform curriculum and assessment choices.

Planned next steps presented at the meeting
- A multi‑stage coaching plan: start with awareness (implicit‑bias reflection), then build relationships (home visits, family surveys) and create district cultural resources (briefs, curated materials) for teachers.
- School‑level actions: orientation and professional development for teachers unfamiliar with Dominican culture; family nights and community‑hub models similar to nonprofit examples visited.
- Classroom practice: use translanguaging and multimodal assessments, include students’ oral histories and local cultural references in lessons, and expand collaborative learning to honor oral traditions.

Quotes and classroom impacts
Brianna Johnson, a teacher who participated, said the trip “deepened my empathy, sharpened my cultural awareness, and renewed my commitment to honoring the whole child.” ML coach Floridylenia Den outlined a coaching model for district rollout and asked to coordinate coaches across schools to scale the work.

No formal board action was required; presenters asked for continued administrative support for coaching, planning time and resources to build a districtwide culturally responsive program.","Eleven Lawrence educators returned from a Dominican Republic immersion this spring and described classroom and community observations to the school committee May 14; they proposed district coaching, family engagement and curriculum adjustments to strengthen culturally responsive teaching for multilingual students.",{"_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},6226911,"School committee affirms CREST collaborative articles of agreement after staff overview",584,1818000,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659&start=1818&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659/thumbnail_1818000.jpg","/articles/6226911/Massachusetts/School-committee-affirms-CREST-collaborative-articles-of-agreement-after-staff-overview","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226911-5689bbdb3a9f5192f68ed54f58a2e2d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437096&Signature=WmZbjMtCzMbfRrBdR6ZUJ3stmsnalOlcUzamaAc5Im-3xmnWo-S-SxMS8sLxJAmZSEDqj8crwykm6pmvTMvJoAS7mLarfHOd2T0Y5zgYUKZf2SU8gA1cptuuUJWFyCz7tN3tIMW7QB51WWzqp0y5C0VVJMPAQ94oW6O4NEMAIAEVPMNIgWjW48eEDPqu2rILNu3VrTRjkZRMYnLWdoZd6BUzRTQG3mWzABxgthCz9u8CLDz~BQkq5Tzp49mKwS4Q7oY9bJrXOj-DbUfU5035rZRc5zXXKrAwFBpn6K94a2H8wlgRgxqW44VPeZkRpXyUxPzAa4JLUny6scnF~jUpaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence Public Schools committee voted May 14 to approve amendments to the CREST collaborative articles of agreement, following a staff member’s overview of the regional special‑education collaborative and its role in serving students with specialized needs.

A district staff speaker described CREST (a regional educational collaborative) as a consortium that serves roughly 18 communities and provides specialized programs for students who cannot be served in their home district. The staff speaker said Lawrence currently has the largest number of CREST placements among member communities — about 71 students — and that CREST pools resources to operate specialized services in a new building near the Greater Lawrence Technical School.

Why it matters: the collaborative provides tuitioned placements and transportation for students with intensive special‑education needs. Approval of the articles of agreement affirms Lawrence’s continued participation and authorizes the superintendent or a designee to represent the district on CREST’s governance board.

Action and vote
A motion was made at the meeting requesting that the LAE approve the amendments to CREST’s articles of agreement as approved by the CREST board of directors on March 12 and March 26, 2025. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; the transcript records the motion as passing.

Financial and procedural notes
Board members asked about tuition and transportation costs for collaborative placements; staff said per‑student costs vary depending on services, tuition and transportation and may range from roughly $55,000 to $85,000 per placement depending on circuit‑breaker reimbursement and service needs. Staff also noted that each member community annually affirms CREST governance and typically sends the superintendent or an appointed school committee member to represent the district on the collaborative board.

No amendments to the district’s special‑education policies or classroom placements were adopted at the meeting; the vote affirmed participation in the collaborative under the amended agreement.","The Lawrence school committee voted to approve amendments to the CREST collaborative articles of agreement as adopted by the CREST board on March 12 and March 26, 2025; staff said the collaborative provides specialized special‑education services for students the district cannot serve in‑district.",{"_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},6226916,"Lawrence Public Schools committee approves $307.0 million FY26 budget; district highlights staffing, grants and new students",3886,2489000,6375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659&start=2489&end=6375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659/thumbnail_2489000.jpg","/articles/6226916/Massachusetts/Lawrence-Public-Schools-committee-approves-3070-million-FY26-budget-district-highlights-staffing-grants-and-new-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226916-7f8d75f4967cfbe3ca1b28b6bb3d88e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437096&Signature=WoFOVudqJV7RbnM5tVmnK96mjSP0pmND13~1cuypefm9XWBNtbrp97SM2fJxAZG2v~9LYkmfk7ET~eqZirxLCRPdWyYGDYyArLPCQfxfDDH58t50Ay9oIecURDoxSRs92USb9jR-r0-fKPoogNs84C6GrjdXnFN4AeRh~R-pLGALqzLXuyqpRfW4YbknQ46X4oAZlEejb26Lwf7jEPOa3WvaQ~eoO0CHf7JZ8IgC-PbpxIVQlT8hl6a1a44tOkVdOKtBEIK-K1tXbMpk5gRbPA~ZdHzAK1dVBxc4EUOGnB6j9a3UKPUin9NpRYVr9QZfb4SNbX2IFhYztppuuAq3Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence Public Schools committee voted May 14 to send a FY2026 budget of $307,026,144 to the city council, after a presentation by district CFO Jason Cabrera that emphasized staffing, federal grants and a surge of new students.

Cabrera told the board the budget funds all current positions, anticipates contract obligations across about 10 unions, and includes targeted increases for curriculum, early childhood expansion, visual and performing arts, facilities and a $3.2 million expansion in services for multilingual learners. He said federal grants provide roughly $14–$17 million annually, of which about $6 million directly fund salaries; Title I funding of roughly $7 million requires about 85% of funds spent by Sept. 30 under grant rules.

Why it matters: the budget funds core staff and services for roughly 14,000 students and 2,600 employees, and the administration said rapid enrollment — the district recorded 569 new students after Oct. 1 in the prior year — contributed to higher per‑pupil spending and program needs.

Key points from the presentation and discussion
- Total appropriation proposed: $307,026,144. The version sent to city council was described as a compromise between higher and lower proposals the district considered.
- Staffing and salary increases: the district projects an increase of about $8–9 million in salaries from FY25 to FY26; Cabrera said one percent on the largest union (teachers) would cost roughly $1.5 million.
- Grants: the district receives $14–$17 million in federal grants (Cabrera cited a Title I component near $7 million); about $6 million of the grant money pays salaries. Grants are on differing cycles from local budgets and are generally reimbursed; the district said it is working to maximize grant usage and prepare for federal‑cycle timing risks.
- Per‑pupil spending: Cabrera gave ballpark per‑pupil figures: roughly $21,900 for students without special services, $28,000–$30,000 for multilingual learners depending on grade, and about $31,320 for special‑education students. He said a rough blended figure is approximately $24,000 per student.
- Enrollment growth: Cabrera and the superintendent said 569 students arrived after Oct. 1; that growth was cited as a major driver of budget increases and staffing needs.

Board action and next steps
The board voted to approve the FY26 budget (version 2) as discussed at the May 14 meeting and to forward it to the city council; the motion passed on a recorded roll call. The administration said principals have been filling vacancies and that further personnel adjustments would be handled by HR consistent with the approved total. The district also said it will seek clarity with city finance and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on municipal allocations and a memorandum of understanding that details municipal costs.

Quotes from the meeting
“we have budgeted for every position that we have today,” CFO Jason Cabrera said, adding that the budget “is the best budget that we can present for the benefit of the children of our schools.” Superintendent Ralph Guerrero and the board urged public review and attendance at the city council hearing scheduled for May 28.

No specific changes to negotiated contracts were adopted at the meeting; the budget presentation noted the district has settled three of roughly ten bargaining units and is budgeting to meet remaining obligations.","The school committee approved a $307,026,144 FY2026 budget after a presentation by CFO Jason Cabrera outlining staffing, grant funding, and enrollment growth that the administration says drove increases in salaries and multilingual services.",{"_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},6226921,"Lawrence cafeteria workers urge fair contracts, back unions during school committee public comment",999,142000,1141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659&start=142&end=1141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3500943-38ab5c46c590d7f292c5271f90fb1659/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6226921/Massachusetts/Lawrence-cafeteria-workers-urge-fair-contracts-back-unions-during-school-committee-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226921-c474ed2483f320a06ccea2bbf46f1860/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437096&Signature=YvmvVyzVdiwqn6vkFUsla1g3obAUrwa7r2GH95YEO0HAtOq4QRweR3zk2I4FpQyU4euvMzfbC-~fueHxZujNHpY2MOu3CA6FCilAhzE1RsDiDwNsqw9odC8LDJLgCzxQC3FMY2ZO1nc5vRccegQ9QfPCxd~ulTGUOB-Vi5heaNzMJVGj~TR86RN46U1U6BjjdUGzOQckEocrSQ3vLkydFwfffOn1PXTS1jBql7RNaOp-JAhoJat6coDxOfVbxhj-oz2zlToNgbbvY-qOmROXP6HuMqul5H2~T5JpjxmXLSJZeKTTPr70Z8U0k6022mu6LI~vhssgZj8-h5n~D8EpgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of cafeteria workers and supporters told the Lawrence Public Schools committee at its May 14 meeting that they want a ‘‘fair contract’’ and stronger pay and benefits for food-service staff.

Speakers said negotiations with the district have dragged on and that many cafeteria staff are paid about $18 an hour. They urged the board and superintendent to press for a contract that raises wages and addresses increased workloads and regulatory responsibilities.

Public comment speakers included Humayun Mali, who opened remarks in support of cafeteria staff and other district employees; cafeteria worker Yovanni (also spelled Giovannis) Trinidad, who said, “we will need a fair contract,” and listed rising cost of living and expanded job responsibilities as reasons to negotiate higher pay; Bartilia Benitez, who said she currently earns $18 per hour; Araliz Pujol, who said she is paid $18.76 per hour after 20 years in the district; Carmen Diaz, a Lawrence High School cafeteria worker who said staff feel discriminated against since February 2022; Ros Gonzales, a part‑time worker of 15 years earning $18.72 per hour; and Anna Sanchez, who said bargaining has been in mediation and asked the superintendent to resolve it.

Why it matters: cafeteria staff provide daily meals and play a role in attendance and school operations. Several speakers tied wage concerns to broader budget and bargaining issues the district faces this year, and multiple speakers said they support their unions and parity with other district employees.

Details from comments and follow-ups
- Multiple speakers named current hourly wages: $18 (Benitez), $18.72 (Ros Gonzales), $18.76 (Araliz Pujol). Those figures were given in public comment and are reported here as stated.
- Several speakers said bargaining has been ongoing for months and that mediation is active; Anna Sanchez said, “we have been trying to negotiate since last year,” and that the group remains in mediation.
- School committee member Myra Ortiz (Prospect Hill, District A) said she stands “in solidarity on equity and payment for all,” and said the committee will listen and advocate.

No formal board action on bargaining was taken at the meeting. Public comment was heard under the board’s listening policy; the transcript shows board members did not respond during the public comment period. The wages and mediation status reported above come from the speakers’ statements during public comment and were not presented as board findings.

Board context and next steps
Board members and district staff discussed the FY26 budget later in the meeting, which the district says includes funding for contract obligations and collective‑bargaining commitments. The public speakers urged the board and superintendent to resolve outstanding negotiations and to prioritize compensation adjustments in the district’s bargaining strategy.","Cafeteria workers and supporters testified at the May 14 Lawrence Public Schools meeting asking for higher pay and a negotiated contract, giving specific wage figures and saying negotiations are in mediation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears concerns about parking at new Oliver and Leahy schools; district and city to continue talks

Lawrence educators report Dominican Republic immersion, plan culturally responsive coaching and curriculum changes

School committee affirms CREST collaborative articles of agreement after staff overview

Lawrence Public Schools committee approves $307.0 million FY26 budget; district highlights staffing, grants and new students

Lawrence cafeteria workers urge fair contracts, back unions during school committee public comment