A longtime Lawrence schools administrator will step down at the end of the school year.

The district announced today that Michel Eltschinger, the current division director of technology, would retire. He has served 28 years in Lawrence schools as a teacher, principal and district administrator.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work in the Lawrence district, which has afforded me many opportunities over the years to work at a number of different positions,” Eltschinger said.

He taught six years in Eudora before coming to Lawrence in 1980 to teach seven years at Centennial and Quail Run schools. He served as principal for seven years at India-Kaw Valley and Centennial schools. For the past 14 years, Eltschinger has worked at district headquarters.

He earned a doctorate in educational administration at Kansas University.

He has coordinated the recent technology overhaul funded by a voter-approved $8.9 million technology bond issue in 2005.

“Mike has successfully guided our school district through many changes in the area of technology over the years,” Superintendent Randy Weseman said in a statement.

The district is currently searching for a new division director of technology services.