Lawrence High School will lose its principal, and Schwegler School will gain one.

On Thursday, Dick Patterson said that the 2002-2003 school year would be his last as LHS principal. His career in education began in 1962, and it includes eight years as assistant principal and principal at LHS.

“My plan is to make next year the best year yet,” he said. “That’s what all my energy will be focused on. I cannot explain the honor it is to be a principal of Lawrence High School, a school with such rich tradition, high expectations and work ethic.”

Schwegler’s new principal will be David Theilen, who will move from Riverside School, where he’s been principal since 1999.

“I appreciate the Riverside staff and how they work as a cohesive team,” Theilen said. “This decision was a strictly professional decision based on the idea that I’m excited about working with another strong school community.”

He will replace Jane Ziegler, who decided in February to resign after one year as principal.

Schwegler is the third-largest elementary school in the district.

The district will pick Theilen’s replacement by August. A search for Patterson’s successor won’t be completed until next year.

Supt. Randy Weseman said Patterson should be credited with helping the district make the transition to a two-high school system.

“Dick has many reasons to be proud of his eight years at Lawrence High,” Weseman said.

The superintendent said Theilen was a bright and talented administrator who had proven himself ready for the job at Schwegler.