The fight over Lawrence Public Schools

The School Committee in Lawrence voted Monday night to ask the state to end its receivership of Lawrence Public Schools. This comes on the heels of a physical altercation between students at Lawrence High School that drew media attention. What is a receivership, and what do community members want? We talk to Max Larkin, a WBUR Education Reporter, and to Joshua Alba, a School Committee Member of District D in Lawrence, to find out.

We reached out to both the Superintendent of Lawrence Public School's office and to that of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Both declined to be on the show, but provided statements.

The superintendent shared a list of action-items, announced last week, to address the situation at Lawrence High School and shared the following statement: "The challenges before us are first and foremost about the educational, socio-emotional, and behavioral health needs of Lawrence's children, and students and families deserve to know that Lawrence Public Schools and its many community partners are working together — immediately and in the long-term — to meet them. "

The office of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said: "Student safety and support are paramount for both the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Lawrence Public School Leadership. The Department will continue to support Lawrence school officials to ensure students have what they need to be successful this year."