A curriculum specialist in the Lawrence school district will fill an associate principal position at Free State High School.

Beginning next school year, Patrick Kelly will replace Ted Berard, who plans to retire after 15 years as the school’s associate principal.

Kelly is a district curriculum specialist in the areas of performing arts and career and technical education. Before that administrative role, Kelly was an instrumental music teacher and band director, working with students at Hillcrest, West, Free State and the former Riverside schools. He also served six years as a band director at Highland Park High School in Topeka.

In a press release from the district, Free State Principal Ed West noted that Kelly is hard-working, student-focused and has great professional experience to draw upon.

Free State High School has almost 1,500 students. Along with West and Berard, the administrative leadership team includes assistant principals Lisa Boyd and Mike Hill.