The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee on Wednesday in a preliminary vote advanced a budget scenario suggesting a four-day school week, closing two elementary schools and a middle school, and cutting a district administration position. The committee members, divided into small groups, reevaluated items in the current budget scenario, offering their own suggested changes to budget cuts in preparation for upcoming public input sessions. Each committee member was allowed to vote for two out of the seven groups’ scenarios. The scenario that won, receiving 20 votes, also includes utilizing renewable solar power — which would not save costs but would reduce emissions — and cutting two electives at each high school instead of cutting student programs. Altogether, the group’s proposed cuts would save the district an estimated $7.6 million to $9.6 million. The four-day school weeks would save an estimated $700,000.
Source: The Lawrence Times
