Jonah Kahn

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Lawrence Public Schools (LPS) are preparing to protect students, staff and resources after the federal administration is trying to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE). 

Congress will still need to pass an act to dismantle DOE, but budgeting was top of the agenda at a board meeting on March 24. 

“Absolutely. We know that we do not know,” said Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift. 

This remained the theme of the discussion about the budget throughout the night because so many questions are up in the air. 

At LPS, state and federal aid go into the operating budget, one of three budgeting categories. Government grant money already spent now might need to be returned. 

“We already have spent that on the Centegix crisis alert system and some A-E-Ds throughout the district,” Cynde Frick, executive director, finance, said.  “If we do need to return that money for 24-25, we will need to use capital outlay money.”

Capitol Outlay falls into a second budget category, special revenue funds. Capitol Outlay covers various costs and projects in the district. It has a cash balance that continues to fluctuate since not every project will be completed. 

The third budget category is debt service.

Over $140,000 was spent on that Centegix crisis alert system and AEDs. An additional $100,000 grant was awarded in the summer under the Biden administration. That grant will be used for a bakery program through LPS, but it is on hold. If the grant money is rescinded, the program will also be funded through Capitol Outlay.

“It’ll be our job to innovate, to streamline our resources directly to schools and classrooms. This will be our repeated and ongoing effort moving forward every day,” Swift said.  

Factors like inflation, number of students enrolled and government aid received all affect the budget, which the district will continue to monitor. 

The LPS board will continue working to ensure the best for students and staff.