The Lawrence school district on Friday announced the resignation of Matt Fearing as assistant principal at Southwest Middle School.

Although his resignation is effective June 30, the district said Fearing will take extended leave for the remainder of the school year because of health reasons.

Fearing joined the district in 1993 as a social studies teacher at West Middle School. He has been assistant principal at Southwest since the school opened in 1998.

“I appreciate Matt’s 20 years of dedication to our schools, including his service as an assistant principal at Southwest since that school opened its doors,” said Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll.

Doll said the district will begin a search for a new assistant principal. In the meantime, Robert Arevalo will serve as interim assistant principal for the remainder of the year.

Arevalo retired in 2012 as division director of human resources after 29 years working for the district.