Rob Schwarz, RSP founder and CEO, explained that the community-oriented process was backed by data for examining solutions that improve students’ academic experience. He outlined a six-month process of committee meetings, school board updates, public input sessions, and a community survey. This Futures Planning Community Engagement process began in September and concluded by February 2023.

Lawrence Public Schools invited interested individuals to apply to serve on the Futures Planning Committee and selected students, parents/guardians, teachers/staff, and community members representing a broad cross-section of the school district and community.

As a result of the Futures Planning Community Engagement Process, the school board acted upon recommendations to reduce staffing and closed two elementary schools, Broken Arrow and Pinckney, following the 2022-2023 school year. Savings from these spending reductions were reallocated to the board's top three financial priorities: providing competitive wages to recruit and retain high-quality staff, planning for annual increases in district operating costs to support a balanced budget, and increasing cash balances and contingency to improve the district's overall fiscal health.

Membership & Meeting Documentation 

Community Engagement Process

Committee Membership 

Committee "Parking Lot" Q&A

September 14, 2022, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• Agenda
• Equity Presentation
• Equity handout  

September 21, 2022, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• Pre-Meeting Homework
• Meeting Materials
• Finance Presentation 

October 5, 2022, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• Pre-Meeting Homework
• Meeting Materials
• Teaching & Learning - Federal & State Goals

November 2, 2022, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Rescheduled from October 19 due to School Conferences.)

• Pre-Meeting Homework
• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting #4 Presentation Materials
• Facility Condition Study 
• Facility Condition Study Addendum: Randomized Building Condition Scores
• Futures Planning Committee ThoughtExchange Survey

November 30, 2022, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Rescheduled due to October meeting date change.)

• Pre-Meeting Homework
• Meeting #5 Presentation Materials & Committee Work (Updated 12/1/2020)
  • Includes:
    • Committee ThoughtExchange: Facility Beliefs Statements
    • Community Survey Results Summary
    • RSP & Associates Enrollment Analysis
    • Solution Discussion Activity  
• Additional Community Survey Results
  • Comments Shared on Survey Questions
  • General Comments Shared 

December 14, 2022, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Agenda
• Presentation Materials
• Committee Member Feedback about Scenario 1 & Facility Belief Statements
• Revised Futures Planning Community Engagement Timeline

January 11, 2023, 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

• Meeting Materials

January 17 and January 18, 2023, Public  Input Sessions

• Presentation 
• Posters: Enrollment Outlook, Facilities/Financial Outlook, and Draft Budget Reductions Proposal
• Feedback Form Closed January 25

February 2, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Input From January Public Input Sessions
• Input Submitted via Online Feedback Form
• Meeting Materials

February 15, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Final Committee Recommendations and Considerations
• Equity Impact Analysis
• Final Elementary/Middle School Building Composite Scores (ACI Boland Architects)

News Release about February 21, Special School Board Meeting

Superintendent's Letter about Planning for the Future of our Schools

February 27, 2023, Lawrence Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m., Educational Support Center, 110 McDonald Drive

Public Hearings for Recommended School Closings, March 25, 10-Noon in the Broken Arrow gym and 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Pinckney gym