photo by: USD 497

Amanda Green

The Lawrence school district has announced that Broken Arrow Elementary Interim Principal Amanda Green will serve as the next principal of Sunflower Elementary.

Green will begin her new position effective July 1, pending school board approval, according to a district news release. Melissa Blevins, who is completing her fourth year at Sunflower, has resigned to accept a position in another school district.

In April, Superintendent Anthony Lewis announced Green’s appointment to coordinator of systems of support, a districtwide position to be funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. Following Blevins’ recent resignation, Lewis invited Green to lead Sunflower. The district will evaluate the coordinator position.

Lewis said in the release that the district was pleased to be able to keep Green in an elementary principal role.

“She has been an invaluable asset to the Broken Arrow community,” Lewis said in the release. “She is dedicated, passionate, and committed to student growth. I am confident that Amanda is the best person to lead Sunflower moving forward and that Sunflower staff and families will enjoy partnering with her on their continued pursuit of success for every student.”

As part of budget cuts, the school board voted to close Broken Arrow at the end of the current school year. Green is completing her first year as principal there after having served as a Broken Arrow learning coach for four years. Her prior experience includes serving as an academic interventionist and a fifth grade teacher in Gardner Edgerton for nine years. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Emporia State University.

Green said in the release that she was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Lawrence community as principal at Sunflower.

“I have greatly admired the work of Sunflower teachers and students, and I look forward to working together to continue the focus on high level academic achievement and social emotional learning,” Green said. “Success has been a longstanding tradition at Sunflower, and I can’t wait to be a part of it all. I know that Sunflower has incredibly talented and committed teachers and staff, and I feel honored to be a part of the team. I am most excited about meeting and getting to know all students and families as we move into the next school year together.”