School district leaders have wasted little time finding a replacement for the retiring technology director.

Superintendent Randy Weseman announced this afternoon that Central Junior High School Principal Frank Harwood would make the move to district headquarters next school year.

“Frank has demonstrated excellent leadership skills as a building principal and has supported the district by guiding our negotiations team,” Weseman said. “This step is a natural progression for him. I’m looking forward to his contributions to our district management team.”

The district announced last week Michel Eltschinger, a longtime Lawrence teacher, principal and division director of technology, would retire in June. Weseman said Harwood “wowed” an interview team.

In all, four people were interviewed, Weseman said.

Harwood is in his third year as Central’s principal. He has previously served as an administrator in Leavenworth and a science teacher at Perry-Lecompton High School.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the Lawrence public schools’ staff and the community to provide the best educational opportunities for our students,” Harwood said in a statement.

He also said it would be difficult to leave Central.

As the new division director, Harwood will continue Eltschinger’s work to lead the district’s technology overhaul funded by the voter-approved $8.9 million technology bond issue in 2005.

Weseman said he will consult several people and decide by early next week whether to appoint an interim principal at Central or to begin a search process immediately.