photo by: Lawrence school district

West Middle School Principal Brad Kempf

Lawrence’s West Middle School will have a new leader next school year, as its current principal, Brad Kempf, has resigned to take a position outside of the district.

The Lawrence school district on Wednesday announced Kempf’s resignation, effective June 30, pending school board approval. Kempf has taken an assistant superintendent position with the Emporia school district, where he previously worked.

Kempf is about to complete his fifth year as the principal of West. Prior to joining the district, he served four years as an associate middle school principal and assistant athletics director in Emporia. He previously served seven years as a principal, teacher and coach in White City, Tonganoxie and Fort Knox, Ky. He also served four years in the U.S. Army.

Kempf said he felt “blessed” to have led West Middle School.

“I’m truly grateful for the experience because West students, families, and staff helped me learn and grow as an educational leader,” he said in the release. “West’s compassionate, innovative, and dedicated staff will continue to lead the way.”

How the district will fill the open position is not yet clear. Noting that it is late in the typical hiring season for such positions, the district said in the news release that Superintendent Anthony Lewis would work with the district’s executive leadership team to evaluate how to best fill it. West Middle School currently serves 626 students in grades 6-8.