Four candidates, two seats up in Lawrence

Lawrence School District residents could vote on the proposed $98.5 million budget and two of the four Board of Education candidates on May 19.
The planned budget is $3.1 million more than the current budget and with a tax cap levy increase of 1.5 percent, is under the state mandated 2 percent cap. It also includes a jump of $1.27 million in state aid from $9.39 million to $10.67 million.
Included in the fiscal plan are several new programs, including a gifted and talented program, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes such as 3-D printing, coding, robotics and science labs. Due to new state requirements there will be an increase in bilingual education.
“This budget is a road map of our collective vision and shared values,” said Lawrence Superintendent Gary Schall. He said that the fiscal plan was put together with input from the Board of Education and community members.
Schall pointed out that the school district is in good financial shape due to the infusion of money from the sale of the Number Six School, the savings that will be realized through closing the Number Five School and leasing the building to Shulamith School, who agreed to a one-year lease of $500,000 with second-year option at the same price. Closing the Number Five School is part of realigning the district along grade levels.

Two challenged races
Running for his third term, incumbent Trustee Abel Feldhamer is opposed by first-time candidate Matthew Russo. Feldhamer said he is “very proud” of what is being accomplished at Lawrence, wants to ensure that the planned capital improvements are completed and the district continues with the efficiencies that have been adopted. “I feel I have contributed and this is a hardworking board that responds to issues,” Feldhamer said. “The board is a great group of people and I feel good to be a pat of that.”