[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6483553,"mediaKeyId","5681207-6c0c1cc37933659135a4440aae6b30a1","parentId",5681207,"title","Board actions: executive session for negotiations, consent agenda and end-of-meeting adjournment","audioSeconds",22,"startMs",5470000,"endMs",5492000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681207-6c0c1cc37933659135a4440aae6b30a1&start=5470&end=5492","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681207-6c0c1cc37933659135a4440aae6b30a1/thumbnail_5470000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483553/Kansas/Board-actions-executive-session-for-negotiations-consent-agenda-and-end-of-meeting-adjournment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483553-18d4de87c6bf9170a842f9a0978feb68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438549&Signature=j3YV38Ps3MNDTADp0UGlNerw2r4ykg~AFAXVNTQavC66Hiq9olVeCQiTFv4fTAjVe4Oi9qWSCblpUaPeDWK4oNRGNalBiz4SDtM87QXA64ULpxdX1DGER7Yp~4TBn5IEKKJXr0o-2Hp1Ga~tJiO4kmuIhZc~y8hb4l8pCmxWOvQMG~A0Bjw8jN5pPwo07b-oreli9emG8aOB51lxKEHK3m0qy~1W2NJP7sTYyMuraBQefO1QG~Nv7oP4b98zEsejsWRUYmYIc2sYHzUB0ytzfwVCdsEwJ3Ro9m0SdG78FU37OzMEPS8DxQyp7F3lg2crdiQgHeDqvfmDBsXsL-y8pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence Public Schools","date","2025-08-26T01:35:14Z","article","The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education recorded several formal actions during its Aug. 20 meeting. The board took three recorded votes on the public record: unanimous approval to recess into executive session for negotiations, unanimous adoption of the consent agenda and a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Executive session for negotiations: The board moved and amended a motion to recess into executive session to discuss employer–employee negotiations. The motion specified invited participants: Superintendent Dr. Janice Kerr Swift (named in the motion as \"doctor Janice Kerr Swift\"), Deputy Superintendent Dr. Engelbrecht and Cindy Frick, executive director of finance; the motion stated the purpose was to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract, and that the board would return to open session in the same room with no action to follow. The board voted by roll call: Gordon Ross — yes; Jones — yes; Kimball — yes; Byers — yes; Whitney Lockwood — yes; Costello — yes; Franklin — yes. The chair announced “Motion passes 7 0.” The motion also recorded the requested return time (noted in the motion text as 06:32); the motion was amended on the floor before the roll call.

Consent agenda: The board adopted the consent agenda in a separate motion that was seconded and approved by roll call. Board members recorded on the roll call included Kadija Blackwood — yes; Costello — yes; Franklin — yes; Gordon Ross — yes; Jones — yes; Kimball — yes; Byers — yes. The presiding officer announced “Motion passes 7 0.” The consent agenda, described by the presiding officer as routine matters, was adopted by a single motion with no items removed for separate consideration.

Other recorded votes: At an earlier point in the meeting a separate motion was recorded as passing by a 7–0 roll call (the transcript shows a roll call with names and the announcement “Motion passes 7 0.”). The transcript did not provide sufficient context for the item associated with that roll call in the excerpt provided; the record therefore states the motion text and affected agenda item as not specified.

Adjournment: The board made a motion to adjourn at the end of the meeting; the motion was seconded and the board approved the adjournment by unanimous voice vote (Aye). No further business was recorded.

Why it matters: The executive-session vote signals active, scheduled negotiations between district leadership and employee groups; the consent agenda adoption completes routine business items approved by the board. Financial or policy outcomes from negotiations were not disclosed in open session and no formal contract action was taken at this meeting.

Provenance: The executive-session motion and roll call appear in the public transcript starting at the motion text at roughly 26 minutes into the meeting (transcript timecodes: motion and amendment) and the roll call with names and the announcement “Motion passes 7 0.” The consent-agenda motion and roll call appear later in the meeting transcript at the point where the board asks for a motion and votes on the consent agenda. An earlier, context-not-specified unanimous motion also appears in the transcript near the start of the excerpted roll calls.

Ending: The board concluded its meeting with a unanimous adjournment. No public action on negotiations was reported following the executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education Meeting | August 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Aug. 20 meeting the Lawrence Board recessed into an executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations, adopted the consent agenda and adjourned; all recorded roll-call votes were unanimous.","taxTitle","Lawrence, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",13090,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6483558,"Lawrence schools weigh launching sanctioned esports program after student spotlight and state approval",4555,1019000,5574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5681207-6c0c1cc37933659135a4440aae6b30a1&start=1019&end=5574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5681207-6c0c1cc37933659135a4440aae6b30a1/thumbnail_1019000.jpg","/articles/6483558/Kansas/Lawrence-schools-weigh-launching-sanctioned-esports-program-after-student-spotlight-and-state-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483558-99c5dddbb0ef1c98c4af1260077c850e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438549&Signature=P0m9m7edw1LkdFIl6icoOxk7-qSA2wxVayMiGD-ed8NfkaGY0qeAN9vhhEm95H2kDse1AgeDrB2tg0ACugMWfwAUYOOPrHJBHE6txvgUFXxe3bohK~oSfPmxLJ-yOLYxPfEKuYnUO0STT3o5xlEuzMjoYyh5hLwFBekP8MiGvkFBl~5VWhokAGWWg6rzeR60BO49wZvMhFzk1aWd~F~TrwBD~HZ78vIzdnSNBflty2MfOlzYCGJWDCOInB4lMODS~-kvbDvGke9D6yuoOdxvSTEVPWJcKlIj1saVGfmHR~vwB15TweGyfpugyabk7On-VTGxT3J8cK9x-1sJFv60ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education heard a multi-part presentation and discussion about esports on Aug. 20, including remarks from students who compete for the district and a staff briefing on next steps now that the state association has voted to sanction esports as an interscholastic activity beginning this school year.

The presentation and student remarks opened with LVS Principal Zach Harwood introducing two students — Travis, a recent graduate and former team captain, and Eli May, an eighth grader — who described how esports increased their engagement at school and taught leadership, teamwork and technical skills. “Esports kind of got me through high school,” Travis said, and Eli said esports “gave me confidence” and allowed him to make playoffs for the first time in the district’s history.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Engelbrecht told the board that the state association’s vote to sanction esports surprised some districts by taking effect immediately rather than next year. The state association has partnered with PlayVS (Play Versus), a national competition platform, and PlayVS will provide the licensing fee coverage in the first year, Engelbrecht said. The district will need to decide whether to register Lawrence High School, Free State High School and middle schools as participating schools and how to staff, equip and fund teams.

Why it matters: Board members said reaching students who have not previously participated in school activities is a principal benefit. Engelbrecht cited national data showing roughly half of students in districts that newly offer esports had not been engaged in a school activity previously; board members said that level of new engagement matters for attendance and school connection.

What the district said it will do next: Engelbrecht outlined several near-term items the district will research and return to the board with more detailed proposals:
- Hardware and equipment needs: district staff will confirm which games and platforms require consoles (a “Switch” was discussed repeatedly during the briefing), controllers, headsets and other peripherals; preliminary guidance identified one Nintendo Switch per three players as a typical hardware ratio for some games, and PlayVS will donate an initial switch per team in year one; exact hardware lists will depend on the number of participating students and the game(s) selected.
- Costs and funding sources: Cindy Frick, executive director of finance, told the board some costs could be covered from existing building activity budgets, the general fund and, where appropriate, capital outlay. Engelbrecht said initial indications are costs are manageable but the district needs firm numbers before making commitments. Coaching stipends would be negotiated under the district’s LEA agreement for educational support professionals and coaches.
- Season and eligibility: Preseason was listed as Nov. 17–Dec. 1 with regular season play to follow; postseason and state tournament dates were not yet set by the state. Students must meet the same academic and eligibility rules as other activities.
- Equity and access: Board members asked how students without home equipment or adequate broadband would be included. Engelbrecht emphasized the expectation that school-based practice and team equipment would be provided at school rather than relying on at-home gear; the district will specify how it will supply equipment and ensure equitable access.

Board reaction and questions: Board members expressed a mix of enthusiasm and caution. Several members praised the student testimony and the potential for increased student engagement, while others asked for full cost estimates, staffing plans, an equity plan to cover students without home equipment or broadband, and a replacement cycle for hardware. Members also asked whether current clubs could transition to sanctioned activity teams and whether resources freed by ending other league commitments could be reallocated. Engelbrecht said staff will gather the requested information and return with a formal proposal and defined funding buckets.

Provenance: The board heard the student spotlight and initial staff briefing beginning with a student presentation (principal Zach Harwood introduced student speakers) and later moved to an informational presentation from Dr. Engelbrecht under agenda item 5.2. Board discussion and questions followed; no final board vote on program adoption occurred at this meeting.

Ending: District leaders said they will assemble cost estimates, hardware lists, equity plans and staffing proposals and present those to the board for a decision before teams begin league play. In the meantime, existing esports clubs will continue their activities under current club rules.","Board members heard student testimony and a staff briefing on esports after the state association moved to sanction it for the 2025 season. District leaders said PlayVS will provide initial licensing and the district will evaluate equipment, costs and equity before asking the board to finalize participation.","actionData","errors"]

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Board actions: executive session for negotiations, consent agenda and end-of-meeting adjournment

Lawrence schools weigh launching sanctioned esports program after student spotlight and state approval