photo by: Lawrence Public Schools

Denise Johnson

The Lawrence school district has appointed an interim principal for Prairie Park Elementary School.

Denise Johnson, who will assume the role on July 1, will succeed Jason Townsend, who is leaving after two years as principal to be a principal in Garnett, according to a news release Wednesday from the Lawrence school district.

“We are delighted to share that in naming Mrs. Johnson as interim principal, we have selected a leader well known to the Prairie Park school community and a hard working, respected, and long serving member of our district,” Superintendent Jeanice Swift said in the release. “She has built solid relationships and will work alongside this strong Prairie Park team, parents, and community to keep students at the center of the work throughout the coming school year.”

Johnson is marking her 20th year in the district, having previously taught at Hillcrest Elementary and served on the Curriculum and Instruction Team supporting educators across the district. She plays a key role in advancing the district’s focus on literacy.

“Literacy is a powerful key that opens doors to opportunity, confidence, and lifelong learning,” Johnson said in the release. “As I transition from curriculum director to interim principal, I am excited to bring a strong districtwide literacy focus to Prairie Park and deepen our commitment to building a community of readers and writers. As a proud partner in every child’s academic journey, I will work to ensure every student feels successful, accepted, and empowered to grow as a learner.”

Johnson spent 10 years in De Soto as an elementary principal and teacher and five years as an elementary teacher in Topeka. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, along with master’s degrees from both Emporia State and Kansas State University.

While an interim principal has been chosen, the school district will conduct a search for the permanent position.

The principal transition comes in the wake of a criminal investigation at Prairie Park in which Mark Elliot Gridley, a former speech pathologist at the school, is facing one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of kidnapping. Lawrence police believe that as many as eight children between the ages of 6 and 11 were victimized by Gridley.