Lawrence schools superintendent takes job out of state

Post last updated at 12:06 p.m. Saturday, June 29:

Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis has been selected to lead the school district of Durham, North Carolina.

The news was announced in a release from the Durham school district Saturday morning. Lewis’ new position will be effective Aug. 12 through June 30, 2028, according to the release.

The Durham school board voted unanimously to select Lewis out of four finalists narrowed down from more than 100 applicants, according to the release.

Lawrence school district staff members and school families received an email about the change Saturday morning.

“This decision is full of mixed emotions,” Lewis said in the staff email. “It has been an honor to serve as superintendent in Lawrence. Working alongside so many dedicated and talented educators, supportive families, and amazing scholars has been a joy.”

Lewis began his education career in Montgomery, Alabama Public Schools, working as a special education teacher and in administration before he was recruited to work in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. He came to the Lawrence school district in 2018.

Lewis in April 2022 was a finalist to lead the Montgomery school district, but he was ultimately not selected.

Lewis still has family there and said at the time that he’d decided “I think I owe it to my family just to put my name in the hat, just to see what happens,” but that was the only new opportunity he had sought. He told the Montgomery school board, too, that they wouldn’t find his name in any other superintendent searches, and that he was still happy in Lawrence.

“This next move not only provides an opportunity to pursue a new adventure, it allows me to be closer to my family,” Lewis said in Saturday’s email to families.

Lewis did not immediately respond to two voicemails seeking to speak with him Saturday morning. His resignation will be effective in mid-August, pending school board approval, according to a news release from the Lawrence school district.

The announcement comes at a time of multiple leadership changes in the district. Patrick Kelly, chief academic officer, will retire from his position effective Sunday. Cynthia Johnson, the executive director of inclusion, engagement, and belonging for Lawrence Public Schools, will also resign effective Sunday.

The district’s news release did not share information about next steps to fill the superintendent position other than to say that “The board will meet soon to plan next steps related to the transition in district leadership.”

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