USD 497 NEWS
Contact: Julie Boyle, Director of Communications
110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044
Ph: 785/832-5000 Fax:785/832-5099
jboyle@usd497.org

December 13, 2016

Statement from Superintendent Kyle Hayden
Regarding Monday’s School Board Meeting
The Lawrence school district is attempting to balance its responsibility to host a safe and orderly
board of education meeting with our desire to hear the perspectives of community members who
have concerns about our school system.
We have an unwavering commitment to maintaining learning environments free from
harassment and discrimination. We welcome the community’s partnership in working toward our
equity goals through a civil, respectful and productive dialogue that moves us forward.
While our schools continue to make progress as a result of the board’s equity goals, we
recognize the need to continue to improve and learn from our experiences. I see a leadership
opportunity before us, and I am working with my colleagues to capture and embrace it.
We are taking steps to improve communication with parents, including more purposefully and
effectively engaging school families of color, developing plans to continue to include the public
in courageous conversations about race and bringing together again a community and staff
Diversity and Equity Advisory Council.
The district also needs to attend to the operational aspects of running our schools. We are going
to have to find a way for the school board to meet and make timely decisions about the business
of the school district in a public setting. We will need the public’s assistance and cooperation in
doing so.