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TUESDAY • APRIL 15 • 2014
Lawrence schools to lose $1.7M in budget authority By Peter Hancock phancock@ljworld.com
Lawrence public schools stand to lose $1.7 million a year in annual budget authority due to changes in the school finance formula approved by Kansas lawmakers. That was the report Mon-
District looking to raise local option budget to regain funds day night that district finance officials gave to the Lawrence school board. But the district could make up part of that loss — about $1.4 million of it — by taking advantage of a provision allowing it to raise
its local option budget, or “LOB” authority, from 31 percent to 33 percent of its base state aid, effectively shifting part of the burden of funding Lawrence schools from the state to local property tax payers.
“If this all holds true, you can count on a recommendation from us to go to a 33-percent LOB,” Superintendent Rick Doll said. “And I just want to say that publicly so the board and the community can start to think about that.”
The changes in the school finance formula were included in a bill that was meant to address a recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling. But in addressing the Please see SCHOOLS, page 2A
SCHOOLS
What may be oldest eatery in downtown set to close
Cycling and recycling
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Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse hanging it up after 37 years By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo
LAWRENCE RESIDENT RICK MCCONNELL makes a squeaky haul of aluminum cans Monday down 13th Street toward the recycling center at 12th Street and Haskell Avenue in East Lawrence. When asked about the weight of all the cans on his trailer, McConnell, who makes frequent trips, said, “This is a light load.”
Come to find out, even tater curls piled high to the sky have a limit: 37 years. Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse, which has operated for nearly four decades in downtown Lawrence, will close April 29. “I have employees who are children of past employ- Schumm ees of the restaurant,” said founder and owner Bob Schumm. “I always said when I started employing their grandchildren, it would be time for me to move on. We’re getting pretty close to that point.” Schumm opened the restaurant in 1977, Please see BUFFALO, page 2A
Name the city’s new rec center
I
f you think naming a recreation center is so easy, now you have your chance to prove it. Lawrence City Hall has set up a website to solicit suggestions on names for the new 181,000-square-foot recreation center that will open at Rock Chalk Park later this year. Commissioners are seeking help after balking at the name suggested by city-hired consultants: SportQuest. The city wants feedback on five possible names: SportQuest, Ad Astra Center, OneLawrence Center, Kanza Center and Freedom
Center. The website, lawrenceks. org/recreation-center-naming, also gives users the chance to suggest other names. City commissioners ultimately will have the final say on naming the center, which will include basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer and fitness facilities. Commissioner Jeremy Farmer, who is working with a naming committee, expects the issue to be before commissioners in early May. The city plans to take comments through April 25. — By Chad Lawhorn Mike Yoder/Journal-World File Photo
INSIDE
Sunny, cool Business Classified Comics Deaths
High: 57
Low: 35
Today’s forecast, page 10A
2A 5C-8C 10C 2A
Events listings Horoscope Opinion Puzzles
7A, 2C Sports 9C Television 9A WellCommons 9C
1C-4C 10A, 2C 1B-4B
Nov. election possibility The Lawrence City Commission will consider adding a special question on the November election ballot for funding a new police facility. Page 3A
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LAWRENCE CITY officials take a tour earlier this month of what will be the new recreation center at Rock Chalk Park. The 181,000-squarefoot center will include eight fullcourt gyms, an indoor turf field and fitness area. The building is expected to open by September.
Vol.156/No.104 24 pages