West Junior High SchoolâÂÂs principal of 18 years Thursday revealed plans to retire from the Lawrence district at the end of the school year.

Mick Lowe, who started his 32-year career as a science teacher at Perry High School, said he might explore opportunities to be a superintendent.

âÂÂIâÂÂm still eager to work,â he said. âÂÂI like the work. IâÂÂm interested in looking at a superintendency. ItâÂÂs kind of up in the air.âÂÂ

Lowe, 56, has been at West, 2700 Harvard Road, for 22 years. He was an assistant principal before assuming the top job.

He said West benefited from a learning community supported by teachers, parents and students.

âÂÂKids are learning, happy and safe. If IâÂÂve had some small piece of that, what a terrific legacy,â Lowe said.

Supt. Randy Weseman considers Lowe a good friend. They worked together at West as assistant principals, and both went on to be junior high principals in Lawrence. Weseman was at South; Lowe at West.

âÂÂMickâÂÂs leadership among the administrative team and his presence as a mentor to new principals have been important to the growth of our organization,â Weseman said.

The search for LoweâÂÂs replacement begins immediately.

Dick Patterson, the principal of Lawrence High School, also is retiring at the end of this year.

Lowe said he wasnâÂÂt counting days until he leaves West for the final time.

âÂÂActually, itâÂÂs just the opposite,â he said. âÂÂI really look forward to every day, and I always have. IâÂÂm going to value every day until June 30. IâÂÂve been lucky IâÂÂve been in a job thatâÂÂs given me more than IâÂÂve given it.âÂÂ

Lowe taught at Perry High School, Shawnee Heights Junior High and Burlingame High School before coming to Lawrence. He also was a coach at Perry, activities director at Shawnee Heights and principal in Burlingame.