2023 Board-Approved Elementary Boundary Map

Lawrence Board of Education Approves 2023-2024 Elementary School Boundaries
The Lawrence Board of Education on April 24, 2023, approved these boundary changes recommended by its Boundary Advisory Committee.The plan redistributes students from four schools to nine schools and accommodates the closure of Broken Arrow and Pinckney Elementary Schools at the end of the school year. Boundary changes will affect approximately 470 students or about 14.6% of current K-4 students.

Boundary changes redistribute Broken Arrow students to Cordley (69 students), Langston Hughes (43), Prairie Park (15), and Schwegler (96). They move Pinckney students to Deerfield (40), with district transportation provided at nominal or no cost due to an existing bus route; and to Hillcrest (129). In addition, New York boundaries expand to serve approximately 13 students currently attending Cordley. The changes also shift some Hillcrest students to Quail Run (30) and Sunset Hill (35). All student counts are estimates based on current enrollment.

The plan expands:

• Cordley’s boundaries south of 23rd Street to K-10, utilizing the western boundaries of Naismith Trail and Louisiana Street. (Current Broken Arrow)
• Deerfield’s boundaries east across to McDonald Drive to Pinckney areas north of Second St. (Current Pinckney)
• Hillcrest’s boundaries north to Second St. (Current Pinckney)
• Langston Hughes’ boundaries south of K-10 and west of Highway 59. (Current Broken Arrow rural area)
• New York’s boundaries west to the parcel lines beyond Illinois and south of Ninth St. (Current Cordley)
• Prairie Park’s boundaries west to Highway 59 (Iowa St.) along K-10. (Current Broken Arrow)
• Quail Run’s boundaries south of Bob Billings Dr. to the eastern portion of Alvamar Golf Course. (Current Hillcrest)
• Schwegler’s boundaries southeast along 25th St. to Louisiana St. and south to K-10. (Current Broken Arrow)
• Sunset Hill’s boundaries east to Iowa St. (Current Hillcrest)

EXEMPTIONS - The administration will exempt students currently in the third or fourth grades and their younger siblings currently attend the same school from boundary changes. Families with exemptions may request a transfer for their students to remain at their current school for the rest of their elementary careers, or they may choose to have their children attend their newly assigned school.

TRANSFERS - The district's existing transfer request process will continue to provide options for families. Transfers are determined on a space-available basis and upon approval, remain in place for the remainder of the student’s time in elementary school. (The elementary transfer request form for 2023-2024 is being revised and will be shared with all families affected by boundary changes by May 5, if not before.)

TRANSPORTATION - The district will continue to offer state-reimbursed transportation for children living 2.5 miles or more from their school. If there is space available on an existing bus route serving the area, district staff will continue to work with families and First Student to accommodate student needs.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL - District staff continue to work with city of Lawrence staff on Safe Routes to School.

COMMUNICATION - As soon as the district's data team reviews and confirms boundary changes for each family to ensure the accuracy of information to be shared, the district will send specific details to all families affected by a boundary change. Families may expect to receive this information by May 5, if not before. This communication will include boundary changes and exemptions, the district's transfer request form and process, any applicable transportation details, and information about each of the receiving schools, including opportunities for families to become acquainted with their children’s new schools.

SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS - District and school transition teams continue to meet to make plans to welcome families to their new attendance centers, including with student tours and family nights prior to the end of the school year. The district houses transition information at www.usd497.org/SuccessfulTransitions and invites families to send questions to SuccessfulTransitions@usd497.org.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION RE: USD 497's BOUNDARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE