photo by: Contributed photo

Matthew Renk

A new face will be joining the Free State High School administration next school year.

Principal Myron Graber announced this week that Matthew Renk will become the high school’s newest assistant principal for the 2020-2021 school year, according to a Lawrence school district news release.

Renk, who is currently principal of Atchison High School, will replace outgoing assistant principal Lisa Boyd, who is retiring after 22 years in the position. Renk is expected to take over on July 1.

Renk has experience in secondary education administration, having served in his current position for four years and as an assistant principal and athletic director for two years at Atchison County Community Junior-Senior High School in Effingham.

“We are excited to welcome Matt to the Free State family,” Graber said. “His ability to create positive relationships with students, staff and school families will be important to the culture we value at Free State.”

Before working in administration, Renk taught English and journalism for 14 years at high schools in Atchison, Salina and Riley. He also taught graduate-level classes for Ottawa University.

Renk earned his bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University and his master’s at Emporia State University.

“I am extremely excited to join the administrative team at Free State,” Renk said. “It is a school with high expectations and students that meet those expectations daily, in and out of the classroom. I am looking forward to being a part of the Free State Firebird tradition.”

Free State opened in 1997 and currently serves 1,844 students in grades 9-12.