Lawrence Public School Board’s Boundary Committee is discussing a revision to the high school boundary that currently resides on Bob Billings Parkway. The committee initially proposed four plans including grade-level schools but has since narrowed the decision to two.
The first plan, the “Lawrence L,” sends students north of Bob Billings and west of Massachusetts Street to Free State while the “Middle School Feeder Pattern” has Free State consisting of students from West Middle School and Central Middle School and Lawrence High comprised of students from Southwest Middle School and Billy Mills middle school. School Board Vice President GR Gordon-Ross said a change is necessary as the board has concerns regarding equitable opportunities provided by each school due to a 350-student difference between Free State and Lawrence High.
“Over the last 25 years, the growth pattern in the city has shifted north and west creating an imbalance in the city,” Gordon-Ross said. “Free State now has more students, thus they have more staff, and they’re able to offer classes that Lawrence High can’t offer.”
Alongside the equity issues, following the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) division regulations, LHS is at risk of being demoted from 6A to 5A. The board does not foresee this issue resolving itself, making a boundary change imperative to preserve LHS’ 6A status.
“There’s a possibility that within not too many years, Lawrence High would drop from 6A to 5A,” Gordon-Ross said. “Managing one high school that’s 6A and one high school that’s 5A is concerning to us; we’re drawing a boundary that brings balance back to the two high schools.”
Many parents and students have expressed concern about the effects this change will have on Free State. Assistant Principal Matt Renk feels that like any change, the building must adjust to this shift.
“Anytime you lose students, that’s going to affect programs and offerings,” Renk said.
While the board will allow students currently at either school to stay where they are, there aren’t the same guarantees for younger siblings. Students and parents including junior Breahna Randall feel that a boundary change will cause logistical issues for their families.
“I live in West Lawrence, near Langston Hughes which is close to Free State, . . . it’s much more convenient to drive my sister and I to Free State,” Randall said. “If the district decides to change the boundaries, we would not only have to become accustomed to driving across town to get to school and extracurricular activities, but we would also have to completely adjust our lives.”
With this in consideration, the board is open to making transportation accommodations for those affected. Even with this, Gordon-Ross feels this will ultimately benefit the community as a whole.
“We’re going to impact a lot of people, but it’s in the best interest of everybody,” Gordon-Ross said. “We have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the district, even though we may impact some smaller subset of the district.”
The board will vote in December on which plan will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more in upcoming board meetings or visit Lawrence Public Schools’ website: usd497.org
