During his years as a Kansas school administrator, Al Ferrell has dealt with and seen constant change.

At the end of this school year, the Perry-Lecompton High School principal will retire and make another change. The former salesman and longtime teacher and administrator just doesn’t know what it will be.

“I might teach. I might stay in administration. I want to stay in the area,” said the 63-year-old Topeka resident who grew up in Valley Falls.

Ferrell has led the high school since 1999.

Superintendent Steve Johnston, who also will retire from the district this year, had high praise for Ferrell.

“I think Al Ferrell is the best kid principal I’ve ever been around,” Johnston said. “He cares more about the kids than anybody I’ve seen. In general, his focus is always students and doing the best for them.”

Ferrell said he has been glad the district has upgraded its facilities, including a new high school gymnasium, locker rooms and a new computer lab in the past year.

“Things like that change the attitude of kids, they take a lot more pride in the building,” Ferrell said.

With the mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind law the last few years, the retiring principal said some standards may be unrealistic but in general the law will help push educators and students to achieve higher standards.

“It has made people more aware of … the seriousness of what you are doing and raising standards and teaching to the state’s standards,” Ferrell said.

A public reception is planned in his honor from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the high school’s library.

Ferrell didn’t have to think hard about what he will most miss about the Perry-Lecompton district.

“Just the kids. I think every educator misses the kids more than anything else. You build relationships with a lot of students. That’s what makes the job worthwhile,” he said.

J.D. Elliott has worked as co-principal this year; he will take over when Ferrell retires.