Superintendent Randy Weseman has moved quickly to fill the school district’s top technology post, tapping a junior high school principal.

“My plan has been to move to the district level. That’s where I saw my career path going,” Central Junior High Principal Frank Harwood said. “It’s been very difficult leaving Central.”

Weseman announced Wednesday that Harwood would make the move to district headquarters next school year to replace Michel Eltschinger, who will retire this summer. The school board is expected to approve the move later this month.

Weseman said Harwood “wowed” an interview team. Four people were interviewed, he said.

“Mike’s done a great job. Now we’re in a position where we’re going to take it to the next level, and we feel like Frank’s the man for the job,” Weseman said.

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

He has two degrees from Kansas University, and Harwood is finishing his certification through Washburn University to be a district-level administrator. He’s also the school board’s lead negotiator in teacher-contract talks.

Harwood said he hoped the next Central leader would embrace the tradition and community of the city’s oldest junior high school.

“I think he’s a great principal – very open minded and looking for ways to improve,” said parent Robbie Derritt, one of the leaders of Central’s parent group.

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

One of his priorities will be to help schools begin using new systems for easier communication with parents.

“There are already the people on staff who know the technical aspects of the system very well. Now it’s a matter of really helping educators know what’s available and how to use it,” Harwood said.

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