The Lawrence school board agreed Tuesday night to hire Jerri Kemble to fill the new position of assistant superintendent for educational technology programs.

Kemble is currently the superintendent and K-12 principal of the Centre school district in Marion County, which reported a total headcount enrollment this year of 333 students.

For the past three years she has also administered that district’s Kansas Online Learning Program, a tuition-free virtual school offered to any Kansas resident through the district.

Jerri Kemble

Kemble’s hiring completes an administrative reorganization plan the school board approved in April, shortly after voters approved a $92.5 million bond issue. Part of that bond issue includes funding to upgrade wireless technology throughout the district in order to expand the so-called “blended classroom” model that combines online learning with traditional teacher-led instruction.

Under the reorganization plan, the job of assistant superintendent for teaching and learning is being divided into two positions. The job was previously held by Adam Holden, who resigned in April citing personal and family reasons.

One of two positions will keep the same title and will be filled by Angelique Kobler, who currently heads curriculum and instruction.

The other is the new position of assistant superintendent for educational technology programs.

The reorganization plan also calls for eliminating six “curriculum specialist” positions in the central office, and creating six new “teachers on special assignment” who will work directly in school buildings helping to implement blended classroom instruction.

In 2012, Kemble was named by the trade publication eSchool News as one of the “Top Ten Tech Savvy Superintendents in the nation.

“Jerri is a recognized expert in the integration of instructional technology into the classroom,” Superintendent Rick Doll said in a statement released by the district. “She will provide strong leadership as the district advances our bond issue initiatives, especially those related to technology and 21st century teaching and learning environments.”