Sunset Hill School principal Chris Bay will resign at the end of this school year to pursue a career in financial counseling, Lawrence school district officials announced.

“Bay plans to pursue a career in teaching and coaching others toward financial independence through a personal banking system,” the district said in a statement released Tuesday.

Bay has been the principal since 2000. A graduate of Baker University, he joined the Lawrence school district in 1992 as a fifth-grade teacher at Kennedy School. He also worked five years teaching third and fourth grade at the former Grant Elementary School.

“The relationships and daily interactions with children, the amazing teachers, and the community I have been blessed to know are what I will miss most,” Bay said. “My dream for Sunset Hill was that it would be a place where people felt welcome, safe and accepted — a place where children could come to feel known and special.”

Superintendent Rick Doll praised Bay as a “relationship builder.”

“He has worked expertly with Sunset Hill staff and families to foster a student-centered learning environment that promotes student achievement and a caring family atmosphere,” Doll said. “Chris will be missed on our leadership team. I wish him all the best in his new professional pursuits.”

Bay’s resignation is effective June 30. District officials said they would immediately begin a search for a new principal. They are also conducting a search to replace Lesa Frantz who recently announced her retirement as principal at Pinckney School.