USD 497 Middle School Redesign Committee

  • The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education on February 22, 2023 directed the superintendent to create a Middle School Redesign committee comprised of grade 6-8 educators and administrators, who will return to the board by December 2023 with redesign implementation recommendations for the academic year 2024-25.

    This committee's recommendation will focus on four topics:
    • repurposing LMCMS with a special curricular focus
    • boundary shifts aiming for a more equitable distribution of socio-economic status within the student body
    • contingencies for the possible elimination of the middle school second plan time, and
    • other related curriculum adjustments.  
    Additionally, the committee shall demonstrate that it consulted with community members, students, content experts, district bargaining units, and other stakeholders as needed; and that equity, inclusion, and belonging is embedded in all recommendations to the board.
     
    The committee will begin meeting in April every other week on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:30 pm through the end of May. Additional meetings will be scheduled through the summer and regular meetings will resume in the fall on dates/times agreed upon by the committee. Staff will be compensated at $21.00/hour for all required meetings.
     
    The USD 497 Middle School Redesign Committee will include all four middle school principals. Seven (7) committee members will be selected from Billy Mills Middle School, Southwest Middle School, and West Middle School.  An additional four (4) members will be selected from Liberty Memorial Central Middle School. Teachers selected will represent the following groups:
    • English Language Arts (1)
    • Mathematics (1)
    • Social Studies (1)
    • Science (1)
    • Physical Education and Health (1)
    • Special Education (1)
    • Counseling (1)
    • ESOL (1)
    • Elective/Exploratory (3)

    The Lawrence Public Schools invites middle school certified staff to apply to serve on the USD 497 Middle School Redesign Committee. In an effort to have a diverse and inclusive committee applicants will be asked to provide demographic information and answer four short answer questions.

    To apply please click on the link below. 

    USD 497 Middle School Redesign Committee Application