The longest-tenured dean at Kansas University will retire at the end of the next school year.

Ann Weick, dean of the School of Social Welfare, announced her retirement plans to faculty and staff Friday morning. She will step down around the end of the 2005-06 year, though an exact date hasn’t been set.

Weick, 64, has been dean of the school since 1988. She also served as interim dean during the 1987-88 school year.

She joined the KU faculty as an assistant professor in 1976.

“I think it’s the right time for me and the right time for the school,” she said. “As of next year, I will have been dean 19 years. It’s been a wonderful job.”

The School of Social Welfare as 30 faculty members and an enrollment of about 550, approximately 375 of whom are master’s degree students.

KU plans to launch a national search for Weick’s replacement.