Lawrence School Board Considers Remodeling Proposal for Woodlawn Elementary

News Summary

The Lawrence school board plans to review a $207,749 proposal for renovations at Woodlawn Elementary School. The plan includes adding a restroom and exit for the preschool classroom. This funding, sourced from capital outlay funds, will support essential upgrades to enhance early childhood education. The board will also evaluate additional proposals related to technology and educational resources during their upcoming meeting.

Lawrence School Board to Review $207,749 Proposal for Woodlawn Elementary School Remodeling

The Lawrence School Board will convene on Monday evening to deliberate a significant remodeling proposal for Woodlawn Elementary School. The project aims to enhance the educational environment by adding crucial facilities, including a new restroom and an additional exit for the preschool classroom. The estimated cost of the remodeling work stands at $207,749, and funding will be sourced from the district’s capital outlay funds.

Specifically, the remodeling proposal allocates $161,590 towards the interior upgrades of the preschool. This figure includes a recommended contingency amount of 10%, totaling $16,159, alongside an architectural fee of $30,000. Together, these components contribute to the overall cost of the project as presented to the school board.

In light of the district’s plans to open preschool classrooms at both Woodlawn and Sunflower Elementary Schools for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, this remodeling is positioned as a pivotal step towards advancing preschool education in the Lawrence community. The district is particularly focused on addressing the needs highlighted by parents and community members regarding early childhood education.

The proposal for remodeling at Woodlawn is included in the school board’s consent agenda, a means of streamlining the approval process for various items in a single motion. Alongside the remodeling discussion, board members are also set to consider a range of other significant items during the meeting.

Additional Items on the Agenda

• The board will evaluate the purchasing of ParentSquare communication software for $43,128 for the forthcoming school year. This platform aims to unify communication channels between families and school staff.
• A proposal to buy protective cases for student devices, including MacBook Air laptops and iPads, is up for consideration, with an estimated cost of up to $200,000.
• The renewal of PowerSchool software is estimated at $350,000, which is essential for operational and instructional needs.
• The agenda also includes renewing the Mosyle Manager software for enhanced Apple device security, at a cost of $104,500.
• The school board will deliberate approving an agreement with Tech Electronics of Kansas for fire alarm system maintenance, which totals $76,522.
• The ongoing services for the Cisco phone system and Webex network are also up for renewal at an annual cost of $66,670.
• A service agreement with Logicalis Inc. for network infrastructure support is proposed for $32,745.
• Renewing Microsoft licenses is expected to cost around $66,215.
• The school board is also considering renewing ClassLink site licenses and ClassLink Analytics Plus software for a combined total of $45,726.
• Additionally, the renewal of security camera software from American Digital Security is estimated at $43,200.
• A one-year agreement for Webex support with Logicalis Inc. is up for approximately $25,000.
• The renewal of the Frontline Professional Learning Management System, which tracks educator development, is proposed for $32,195.
• Lastly, services for managing maintenance and IT work orders through FMX software is budgeted at $28,444.
• The board will also elect a president and vice president, appoint essential board officials, and designate legal counsel.

The scheduled meeting is set to commence at 6 p.m. at the district offices, and residents who wish to provide public comments are encouraged to sign up in advance via email by the same time. Participation is possible both in-person and through Webex video/phone conferencing.

As the school board reviews these essential proposals, the focus remains on enhancing educational facilities and technology to better serve the community’s needs.

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Additional Resources

• Lawrence Journal World: Lawrence School Board to Review $207,749 Renovation Proposal for Woodlawn Elementary School
• You Are Current: Mission Accomplished for Lawrence Township School District
• Lawrence Times: LHS Ribbon Cutting
• Bloomberg: What Can Cities Do with Closed School Buildings
• You Are Current: Living Through the Construction
• Wikipedia: Education in the United States
• Google Search: School Renovation Projects
• Google Scholar: Educational Building Renovation
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Renovation
• Google News: School Facility Improvements