Representatives of the Lawrence teachers’ union addressed the board on Jan. 12 to outline legislative priorities and ask for member and board support in submitting testimony.

LEA president Emerson Hafsallis and advocacy chair Dr. Tom Barker cited special-education funding as a top priority and urged board members, administrators and staff to submit timely written or oral testimony for hearings. Hafsallis noted the first testimony deadline fell that day and announced a workshop to train members on how to prepare testimony; the session was scheduled for the following Saturday at 10 a.m. at the union hall. The LEA said its goal is to increase written submissions this year compared with last.

Speakers also encouraged the district to consider joining a Judicial Independence Coalition and flagged a proposed constitutional amendment and CAPERS-3 retirement changes as items with long-term implications for school funding and employee benefits. The union reminded board members of a planned "Lucky for Kansas Public Schools" rally at the state capitol on March 17.

Board members thanked the LEA presenters and discussed practical steps to coordinate testimony and updates during the legislative session.