Take action to save Lawrence from possible unethical practices and mismanagement by the USD 497 leadership. Investigation by the KSBE is a first step to identify the problems from the top down.  Together we can make a difference!

"The district administration is completely out of touch with the day-to-day work of actual educators"

"They silo themselves in this fancy, newly renovated building with the best technology and have no clue what the struggles are in actual schools"

"ESC should get cuts to their salaries, bonuses, vehicle stipends, phone stipends, etc. because failure started at the top."

"Does the district need 6 executive directors?"

"ESC is full of corruption, nepotism, incompetence, and redundancy. Their mismanagement is not our children’s fault"

"Streamline admin positions before cutting staff, programs etc., that directly benefit our students"

"The administration and some board members have lost sight of what's important. It's staff and children! Cuts need to be made from top and trickle down"

"Administration and board members implement things and spend money without asking family and staffs input. Teachers and community should have input"

"Administration has been poorly managing this budget for YEARS. This is not on the students and teachers, so don’t punish them with your mistakes"

"USD 497 has a more top-heavy administration than Olathe, and they are twice as big"

"The nepotism in hiring at USD 497 is out of control. The other districts follow strict policies against hiring family members"

"District admin provided INCORRECT data to the committee. Are ESC admin incompetent or just grossly negligent in their duties"

"District administration needs to take responsibility instead of sacrificing students and staff for their poor leadership"

"Taxpayers, parents and staff want ESC cuts. Listen to the stakeholders."

"Administrative salaries are insanely high compared to the relatively poor teacher salaries and the abysmal para pay."

"Cut executive positions before cutting staff that spend their days in the heart of the district...the schools"

"We want to keep teachers in our district and we want to continue to have schools be representative of our communities and hubs of those communities"

"Teachers, Staff and building level administrators have been SCREAMING about the ACTUAL data collected that then is skewed or disregarded by ESC execs"

"Decisions are being made regardless of input from the "boots on the ground". Are you listening now?? THIS DISTRICT IS FAILING our community"

"ESC needs a complete overhaul. The district needs an adequate nepotism policy. No family hires"

"Closing schools is a waste of taxpayer dollars that were just spent to improve buildings. And now you’re proposing closing those very buildings"

"We need the district to be transparent and intelligent about where money is going"

These anonymous statements were captured from thoughexchange.com 

Take to social media! Share this petition! Contact the media! Call your state representative! Join this movement to safeguard our children and community by identifying the problems in the current leadership.