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Lawrence schools describe safety steps, counseling resources after Prairie Park incident
Summary
Superintendent Janice K. Swift summarized district safety practices, mandatory reporting and background-check procedures and said counselors and the Children’s Advocacy Center are assisting Prairie Park families; parents and community members urged an external audit and clearer public communication.
Dr. Janice Keres Swift, superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools, told the Board of Education on March 10 that the district is conducting an immediate, multi-step response after recent safety concerns at Prairie Park Elementary.
"Student safety is embedded in literally every step that we take," Dr. Swift said, describing steps the district takes when concerns arise, including investigations that can involve local law enforcement and school resource officers.
The superintendent summarized routine pre-employment checks and mandatory-reporting procedures. She said criminal background checks through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Department for Children and Families checks are required for every district employee before clearance to work; FBI fingerprinting is used for hires who have not lived in Kansas for 10 consecutive years. "Every district employee who…
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