Free State High School associate principal named CTE director for Lawrence schools

Free State High School associate principal Patrick Kelly has been named to lead the Lawrence school district’s efforts to expand career and technical education programs.

The move is part of an administrative reorganization plan that the Lawrence school board approved at its April 8 meeting.

On April 2, voters in the district approved a $92.5 million bond issue that includes funds for building a Career and Technical Education Center at the district’s Community Connections Center near Holcom Park. The district plans to contract with two area community colleges to offer career and technical education classes for Lawrence high school students.

Before being named associate principal for the current school year, Kelly spent seven years as a curriculum specialist for career and technical education and fine arts in the district administration office.

Kelly also worked for seven years as an instrumental music teacher and band director for the district. Before that, he was a high school band director in Topeka.

Free State Principal Ed West announced that Steve Heffernan has been named the new associate principal.

Heffernan is completing his 16th year as a science teacher at Free State. He is also chairman of the school’s science department and coaches cross country and track and field. Before coming to Free State he taught four years in Wichita.