Lawrence schools expand preschool seats, roll out ParentSquare and return high schools to MacBooks

Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Swift on April 28 presented a package of program changes and technology shifts for the 2025–26 school year, including new neighborhood preschool seats at Sunflower and Woodlawn elementary schools, a districtwide rollout of AVID in 2026, a standards‑aligned elementary science offering, expanded STEAM/Project Lead The Way programming at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, a ParentSquare district communications platform, and a planned shift from iPads back to MacBooks for grades 9–12.

Dr. Swift said preschool enrollment for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds is open; families who meet state eligibility guidelines will have tuition covered, and families who do not will be able to enroll for a fee Dr. Swift said the district researched as “low for preschool and even daycare in our community.” She stated that fee as $660 a month during the meeting. The new Sunflower and Woodlawn neighborhood preschool classrooms will be adapted using capital outlay funds, she said, while Kennedy Early Childhood Center and New York Montessori will continue to operate.

District context: the superintendent said the enhancements were drawn from a year of community feedback and planning. The AVID college‑readiness program will be implemented across all schools by 2026, and elementary principals and director JC Roberson will return to the board in May with course content for the new elementary science experience. The STEAM expansion at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School will add courses tied to Project Lead The Way, and New York Montessori will add upper‑elementary grades (third through fifth) as previously planned.

On communications and technology, Dr. Swift announced ParentSquare as the district’s unified communications tool. She said the platform provides two‑way messaging, automatically translates messages into a parent’s chosen language, and aggregates all school, classroom and activity messages in a single dashboard. The district is running a “sandbox” for administrators, principals and athletic directors in May and plans a phased rollout with full use expected in August when school begins. Dr. Swift and district staff said parents will receive messages by email even if they do not install an app, and the district will provide training and designate a “champion” at each school to lead implementation.

Dr. Swift also said the district will move students in grades 9–12 back to MacBooks next year. She said the replacement will be funded through capital outlay dollars and that a limited number of iPads will remain for classrooms that require them. Board members asked the superintendent to provide additional details to clarify device‑management, repair and long‑term costs before full implementation.

The superintendent and board cited multiple student achievements, high attendance on an inclement‑weather makeup day, and the CTE Innovation Expo as part of the report. Dr. Swift said the changes are intended to expand access to college credit, strengthen hands‑on science and STEAM learning, and improve school‑to‑home communication.

Implementation and supports: district staff said school‑level training for ParentSquare will include back‑to‑school signups, direct outreach and in‑building champions. The superintendent said capital outlay funds will cover classroom redesigns and MacBook procurement so that classroom salary funds are not used.

Ending: Dr. Swift asked the board for feedback and said the district will return with more detailed implementation plans and budget clarifications in May and over the summer.