[{"_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",6200343,"mediaKeyId","3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9","parentId",3814338,"title","Lawrence High posts record graduating class and growing AP, early‑college enrollments","audioSeconds",391,"startMs",5333000,"endMs",5724000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9&start=5333&end=5724","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9/thumbnail_5333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200343/Massachusetts/Lawrence-High-posts-record-graduating-class-and-growing-AP-earlycollege-enrollments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200343-eb124ef77662bb2e94ce2db8dce42b79/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951062&Signature=Kk~13-HLXvTYIqAcR0nzkXExRYkG8wqqIwqzpxvIYtj2OtBs4n9iDq24A24rwyhger9O9OuhnRJOw9-bu3LQSkkx1OqeHmI5nRlJQkDWYvO~T1KH-POviO~QUwEHjWLahteVpeVII61fObCGV8egBj28XuN7xuhSK5j8QLdNZ1rl6XG-WzSNCblpcpp7upa1pKMZSIYGUeW4qz-3HO8EinQJEAATrGaB1f6-25gxxrnRX75MFsE6nDz-24cieIpKAvrDqiEKWbvIJ4EhxTs66sZ18A15lbjRF1NwxpuG8sXGAvny3v6UAkkO8C-UXqDrlrE8x536ju9THyMa~dsoWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-14T00:54:59Z","article","Lawrence High School leaders reported a record graduating class, expanded Advanced Placement participation, and growing early‑college pathways that school leaders said will increase college access and affordability for local students.

Headmaster Miguel Caraballo (presented name corrected in the meeting) told trustees the school conferred degrees on more than 789 graduates — the largest graduating class in school history — and noted growing scholarship and admissions success at selective colleges. Caraballo said recent admits included students accepted to institutions such as Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Barnard, Boston University and Northeastern; he said multiple students received competitive scholarships, and he cited two Posse Scholars among the recent admits.

Caraballo and the superintendent reported other metrics: the high school administered about 1,200 AP exams, had over 867 students taking AP courses, and reported early‑college enrollment of more than 450 students with an expectation to exceed 500 next year. The district’s reported graduation rate was above 98 percent.

Administrators said they are also expanding college and career pathways, including a new dual‑degree option that will allow students to graduate with both a high‑school diploma and an associate degree through a partnership with Merrimack College; leaders said they plan to extend the opportunity to Abbott Lawrence Technical School students as well. The high school also highlighted growth in the Seal of Biliteracy and work to expand CTE and internship partnerships with local employers and community colleges.

Board members and the superintendent praised the accomplishments, called for continued outreach to showcase student success, and noted the district will expand performing‑arts and vocational programming to match the growing college and technical opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence Alliance for Education Board Meeting June 11 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Administrators reported a record 789 graduates, growing AP participation and early‑college enrollment, and plans to expand dual‑degree pathways and vocational partnerships to increase postsecondary access for Lawrence students.","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},6200349,"Preliminary ACCESS 2025 results show gains for English learners in Lawrence Public Schools",498,4620000,5118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9&start=4620&end=5118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9/thumbnail_4620000.jpg","/articles/6200349/Massachusetts/Preliminary-ACCESS-2025-results-show-gains-for-English-learners-in-Lawrence-Public-Schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200349-667ca9f536b721095b702f64698d9514/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951062&Signature=OY3TAODUFBJMps1gSurjgca7~5EBBZUAJenxxfd2nTu6cJYIK2I5MCyeH4o786u9~YciPYhFQPkz4ZH4rSxSSLcr-wXf-Y9NFFnl8ScQmeJW5~Cb3R2I52fzeoM6vY77yWg9TKKm85J5jI42RxZ3b26o2qp9-wqXCGgq8IGST08a0Fko2xt7xZI94HAr7y9xsfcQNGqkXsYV9rCoeAN6tgbn1mz1Qk327ApaBBVAxiEuPkC5gfLFaSUh~KmydTAzx5RJdVPC5CwtQlJlSlGSgLOOfN74WP0S0elthGt4qVAMEoVk02eUyT3LeXihmQhprCLpnHYmOkdLHw~o-L59Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence Public Schools officials presented preliminary ACCESS 2025 English‑language‑proficiency results at the board meeting, reporting increases in participation and modest gains on several measures used for accountability.

District Multilingual (ML) Department lead Ms. Gutierrez said the district tested 5,795 students on regular ACCESS and 98 students on alternate ACCESS this year; the preliminary participation rate was 94 percent and the district expects the final participation rate to rise to about 98–99 percent after accounting for student withdrawals.

Gutierrez summarized two main indicators DESE uses: whether individual students met their DESE‑calculated growth targets and whether students met the score thresholds to exit the English‑learner (EL) program. ACCESS scores run on a 1–6 scale, where 1 is beginning and 6 is near‑native fluency; DESE sets individual targets and school accountability percentages.

Key district figures presented: among K–8 students, 38.7% met their individual growth targets (up 7.3 percentage points from 31.4% in 2024), exceeding the K–8 accountability target of 33%. At the high‑school level, 12% met targets (up 3.2 percentage points from 8.8%), exceeding the high‑school accountability target of 10.1%. At the district level 55.6% of schools exceeded their individual targets; overall 77.9% of schools showed improvement. On exit criteria (DESE exit thresholds are 4.2 overall and 3.9 literacy on the ACCESS scale), 8.1% of EL students met the exit criteria this year (up 2.1 percentage points from 6% the previous year).

Gutierrez said final ACCESS scores are expected in August; she and trustees discussed targeted supports for schools that declined and the importance of professional development in sheltered‑instruction strategies and high‑quality ESL materials.

Trustees praised gains and asked for follow‑up on schools with downward trends, and the district said it will study the declines and provide additional professional development and fidelity reviews of service delivery.","The district presented preliminary ACCESS 2025 results showing higher participation and gains in multiple language domains; K–8 progress targets exceeded DESE accountability thresholds and the district reported modest increases in students meeting exit criteria.",{"_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},6200353,"Board approves two‑year learning‑time waiver for RISE Academy after pilot yields higher graduation",850,3546000,4396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9&start=3546&end=4396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9/thumbnail_3546000.jpg","/articles/6200353/Massachusetts/Board-approves-twoyear-learningtime-waiver-for-RISE-Academy-after-pilot-yields-higher-graduation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200353-e72a8c8a238012e231d11ee1c54cafda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951062&Signature=l0GuIwfNbvmr3BQmDinRouHHE27GuPZESzx73Lg2pnLtNlHpWhhJXR4572u2HMHogEyddL106sXpBQnf2foSJ0cjlSxMTNFEgVp7WtxxORt~9qFh1idW-gUPMth~-lMbmOOT0uSDdeumNGHR1NLps0jVn5DHx48T6GN0Nqdv3S-mFwlBMFwmpFxvVHUKxPJn-Ss43VkZdPNjZ-vbrjT8zIABGkxvWbH0D7v~dBkTSboWyTDpnlfyvVLIXMaN9LFlrVqQc1HfEabqG7U5rpqJQgah1PYEN0PVbOH-9~BQj-vvN~OQecnFKSF51G6xMiJKqUCgeL1iJfYpgX5oheCVxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The LAE board voted to approve a two‑year student‑learning‑time waiver for RISE Academy after the program’s principal reported higher completion rates and new supports introduced during a night‑program pilot.

Principal Carlos Cordero presented summary data from the pilot, saying the program reviewed 222 referrals and accepted 45 students for the evening program, and that senior completion exceeded the pilot goal. Cordero said 22 of 26 seniors in the pilot completed the program this year, an 85% completion rate; he told the board the remaining seniors were expected to finish by August. He also said the program graduated 31 students this year versus one the prior year.

Cordero described program demographics, said the district worked with DESE during the pilot and that teams provided feedback, and listed priorities for next year including more paraprofessional support, literacy intervention, world language, and expanded career‑technical exposures using virtual‑reality experiences with partners such as the Northeast Manufacturing Consortium.

Cordero explained the calendar math behind the waiver: he said the planned program will include 106 days of programming and that the DESE minimum compares differently; the waiver application notes the program will be short by roughly 45 hours of in‑seat time and describes how the district will address that shortfall. The district will submit the signed waiver to DESE for final approval.

Trustees praised the program’s gains and called for ongoing tracking of post‑graduation outcomes and partnerships to support internships and job placements. The board approved the waiver by roll call vote; no member opposed the motion.

The approval allows the RISE Academy to continue the alternative evening model under the waiver while the district implements the additional supports Cordero described.","LAE trustees voted to approve a student learning time waiver for RISE Academy for two years after Principal Carlos Cordero reported the evening pilot improved retention and graduation outcomes, including 31 graduates this year compared with one the prior year.",{"_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},6200358,"Teachers and parents criticize nonrenewal of Frost Elementary principal, cite lost supports",804,260000,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9&start=260&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6200358/Massachusetts/Teachers-and-parents-criticize-nonrenewal-of-Frost-Elementary-principal-cite-lost-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200358-dbebf97bf5f3f89f6f572d9de0322c41/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951062&Signature=F4hkjXL17Yb6PEef2GCN3DKqFLZnbqpE55lupdhg7pdae7lESNMDJAb3D8DO9~Sj28n9iNck7ElUA1Pb9LdxU52TIN5Br13InC2Tva3X1GHPZw2EJ4Ta-nQlkowYdPi80dIHS~rsXgipu1n1aDnyOeP4fvPYHdMhak8qVYFvdstYGJZZq6d42rNik-kOmeZeYtcvBLoiD~nYNyvUgvIf~jrF2id6zQ9dI-bQuUcOFsS7iNnKPz6WyZB-G2rshrGbS--j1u1xZzcvY37ip3Zi74PsjiKb47Xxaf1aMbFTjU2L26ZuKVX6PkFUYJRmV7dRL18RfR5KSIZSdmRe6Ts5iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents, teachers and a school counselor used the district’s public‑comment period to oppose the nonrenewal of Frost Elementary Principal Dan Thornton, saying his removal damaged school morale and followed a year marked by lost supports.

Speakers told the LAE board that Thornton’s leadership brought stability after prior turnover and that the Frost community was shocked by the decision not to renew his contract.

Taisha (Tyesha) Hernandez, who identified herself as a Frost parent, said she was “incredibly disheartened” to learn the principal would not be renewed after a year in the post. Hernandez told trustees the school lost a leader who “made a significant and positive difference” and asked what appeal avenues are available after she said she had raised the matter with district staff.

Teacher Brianna Tyrone said, “In Mr. Thornton you had someone who loved his job, his staff, students, and the city of Lawrence,” and described a principal who visited classrooms daily, engaged families, and helped build staff morale. Tyrone said Frost has had turnover in school leadership in recent years and that the community is “grieving what we feel is an incredible loss.”

Rebecca Bridal, another Frost teacher, echoed the praise, saying Thornton “was charismatic, personable, kind, humble, hardworking, and most importantly passionate about his job,” and saying the principal’s removal “shattered” the morale he helped build.

Emily Cromer, a school counselor with 33 years at Frost, urged the board to recognize that staff who “speak out for what’s right” have faced consequences. Cromer and others detailed a pattern they said included a lack of some specialized supports this year: an educational team facilitator vacancy until October, a BCBA reassigned before school began, and a principal nonrenewal that staff connected to advocacy for students. Cromer said Frost has one of the district’s highest needs for BCBA support and questioned whether adequate replacements were hired.

Speakers requested district transparency about staffing decisions and supports and urged the board to prioritize retention of administrators and specialists who, they said, advocate for students and families. The public-comment speakers did not propose a specific board motion; no board action on the principal’s employment status was taken during the meeting.

The public‑comment period closed after multiple speakers spoke in favor of retaining Thornton and in support of stronger district responses to staff requests for student supports.","Multiple staff and parents at Frost Elementary urged the LAE board to reconsider or explain the nonrenewal of Principal Dan Thornton, saying Thornton improved morale and advocating for better support services that staff say were removed this year.",{"_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},6200363,"Lawrence Public Schools board approves amended SY2026 budget after MOU, charter-tuition adjustments",704,1774000,2478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9&start=1774&end=2478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814338-a7283a86dd8bcd5b2cc564bf484895f9/thumbnail_1774000.jpg","/articles/6200363/Massachusetts/Lawrence-Public-Schools-board-approves-amended-SY2026-budget-after-MOU-charter-tuition-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200363-4164b2394c32d9e02f815e4bb49daa8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951062&Signature=o9AkaNMbaprC6pJw5SAzc8qFsJK3vYa5G8nwu6JAG5tUm7gj5mh8umtc8u8HY8fMZlKHXahKFEz7TRC-ui-XtJiD2RjjmKgJe2WgKd~rT2OKRkBXj1e2EjGsZYqW2WawgIQNxhc3nBoXjdDVgr~TddumHM2PysApVvQLqtoGk~rCtd1BrVW0~1JyknGqxWLX6E7klVNSlVy1iZnMZTkmOI-KQVwd1pV9KC5zYj5ng6oYb8MfXchmOq5xFljCvjPwaFQdYeAqo7qGVO5omLtqDM6znxbx69-dTMsynMH7Kui0A-6ksBaDIEUJ6vHsXcfYiZGWecSUtzgR~~SndS3eAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence Public Schools trustees approved an amended school-year 2026 budget totaling $305,026,144 and ratified labor memoranda of understanding after staff outlined adjustments to state aid and municipal charges.

The action cleared at the district’s regular meeting after Chief Financial Officer Jason Cabrera described updates to the district’s revenue assumptions, including a decrease to charter tuition projections and an increase in municipal-related costs tied to an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding.

Board approval matters because the amended budget sets spending priorities for next year and reflects recent state and city funding updates.

Cabrera told the board the district’s prior proposal used the governor’s budget for some line items and that an updated cherry sheet from the state reduced the charter-tuition estimate by $1,856,886. He said a calculation tied to the city MOU increased municipal-related costs by about $1,100,000.0485707 and that the district made offsetting reductions, including a $966,000 cut to extra‑duty lines and about $1,034,000 in transportation adjustments, yielding the $305,026,144 total. Cabrera said the district also counted a $350,000 lease commitment from the city that meets the city’s stated minimum contribution.

Board members pressed for transparency on the municipal charges. Board Chair Patricia Mariano and other members said they want a line‑by‑line reconciliation of the 2013 MOU calculation that the district currently uses. Cabrera displayed a slide listing city-side expense categories that feed the formula and said the district will engage auditors to reconcile the charges and to prepare itemized calculations for next year’s negotiations.

Superintendent remarks and questions from trustees underlined a separate state review: the district reported receiving updated Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) correspondence that flagged approximately a $7 million gap in net‑school‑spending accounting over recent years; district leaders said that review and reconciliations factor into upcoming talks with the city.

The board also approved two memoranda of understanding earlier in the meeting: one between LPS and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 888, and one listed on the agenda as between LPS and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (32BJ/SEIU) covering cafeteria staff. (Motions and roll-call votes are recorded below.)

Cabrera said the district trimmed proposed initiatives substantially from the initial “dream” budget and that the amended plan preserves staff positions (no layoffs), classroom materials, and professional services. He and Superintendent Ralph Guerrero emphasized that the budget is “tight” and that transportation remains the most significant implementation risk; the administration said negotiations produced a multi‑year bus contract approach that reduces an initial 10% vendor request to approximately 2% per year under the draft agreement.

The board voted to adopt the amended appropriation after discussion; trustees said they will press the city for a more transparent, updated MOU calculation ahead of next year’s budget process.

The vote and next steps complete the board’s fiscal action for the meeting but leave open ongoing negotiations with the city and reconciliation work with auditors and DESE.","The LAE board voted to adopt an amended school-year 2026 budget of $305,026,144, approving memoranda of understanding with labor groups and directing staff to reconcile city–school service charges and net-school-spending calculations with auditors and the city.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawrence High posts record graduating class and growing AP, early‑college enrollments

Preliminary ACCESS 2025 results show gains for English learners in Lawrence Public Schools

Board approves two‑year learning‑time waiver for RISE Academy after pilot yields higher graduation

Teachers and parents criticize nonrenewal of Frost Elementary principal, cite lost supports

Lawrence Public Schools board approves amended SY2026 budget after MOU, charter-tuition adjustments