photo by: Lawrence school district

Jayci Roberson

Woodlawn Elementary School’s principal has been chosen to be the Lawrence school district’s director of elementary schools, pending school board approval, the district announced Wednesday.

Superintendent Anthony Lewis announced the selection of Jayci Roberson, who will transition to her new role during the remainder of the school year.

“Jayci’s dedication, experience, and outstanding leadership in her current and previous roles have uniquely prepared her for this new challenge,” Lewis said in a news release. “As we look to strengthen districtwide structures and enhance our capacity to support our principals, I look forward to the positive impact Jayci will have as an approachable and collaborative leader and systems thinker.”

This is Roberson’s fifth year at Woodlawn. The district honored her as its Elementary Principal of the Year in 2020-2021. She previously served as assistant director of virtual education/Lawrence Virtual School assistant principal for a year. Prior to joining the district, she served six years as an elementary assistant principal and fourth grade teacher in Fort Riley, taught second grade for three years in Junction City, and served two years in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, according to the release.

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Kansas State University.

“As Woodlawn marks its 100th year, it has been a profound honor to have served as its principal,” Roberson said in the release. “I carry the rich experiences and insights gained as I transition into this new role. I look forward to collaborating with the elementary principal team to lead in our commitment to serving our students, staff, and community, ensuring each student receives the care and support to be their best.”

The district will begin a search to fill the principal position at Woodlawn, which serves 238 K-5 students.

Elementary and secondary director positions were among $6.4 million in staffing reductions approved by the board in March of 2022 to balance the budget and provide staff raises, the release noted.

“After a comprehensive look at the present budget and reflection on the board’s financial priorities, the district will reinstate both positions to support building principals in their role as instructional leaders,” the release said.