photo by: Mike Yoder

Cynthia Johnson, interim principal for Lawrence High School, is pictured September 13, 2019.

Lawrence High School interim Principal Cynthia Johnson will continue serving the Lawrence school district as executive director of inclusion, engagement and belonging, the district announced Monday.

The school board approved the hire during its meeting Monday evening. Johnson — who is affectionately known as “Mama J” — will take the position on July 1. The district said she will make a salary of $122,000.

The position is a new one, stemming from a reorganization of district administrative duties following the resignation of Deputy Superintendent Anna Stubblefield, who resigned to lead the Kansas City, Kan., public schools as superintendent.

In her new role, Johnson will “inform and influence systemic change to develop, implement, and sustain culturally responsive systems through teaching, organizational policies and practices, and community engagement,” according to Monday’s news release.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Johnson will remain an integral part of our leadership team,” said Superintendent Anthony Lewis in the release. “We have seen positive changes in the climate and culture during her tenure at Lawrence High.”

After the resignation of former LHS Principal Matt Brungardt late in spring 2019, Lewis appointed Johnson as interim principal.

“I am honored to continue to serve LPS and the Lawrence community as the executive director of inclusion, engagement, and belonging,” Johnson said in the release.

Johnson previously served 30-plus years as an educator and administrator in Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Central Missouri State University and her master’s and doctorate at Baker University.

As the Journal-World previously reported, Jessica Bassett will be the next principal of LHS. Bassett, who is currently serving as the principal of Southeast High School in Kansas City, Mo., will fill the position on July 1.