Billy Mills Middle School Principal Keith Jones

The leader of Billy Mills Middle School will not be returning next school year because he has taken a job in Missouri.

Lawrence Superintendent Anthony Lewis announced in a news release Friday that Keith Jones, principal of Billy Mills, will resign at the end of the school year to become principal at Platte County High School in Platte City, Mo.

“I appreciate the creativity and innovation that Dr. Jones has brought to our leadership team and to Billy Mills Middle School,” Lewis said in the news release. “I wish Dr. Jones continued success at Platte County.”

Jones is currently serving his third year as principal of Billy Mills. He previously worked for the school district as an assistant principal at Free State High School from 2013 to 2015.

Jones has also served as a principal for two years in the Topeka school district and as an administrative intern for a year in the Blue Valley school district. In the classroom, he taught journalism for five years in the Kansas City, Kan., school district.

“I want to thank Dr. Lewis and the Lawrence Board of Education for allowing me to lead Billy Mills Middle School the past three years,” Jones said in the news release. “I have enjoyed my time in Lawrence and will miss the students, staff, and families. We have done some great work by keeping kids first.”

The district said it would immediately begin a search to fill the position. Billy Mills Middle School, formerly known as South Middle School, serves approximately 600 students in grades 6-8.