photo by: Contributed

Amanda Faunce, principal of Lawrence College and Career Center

The Lawrence school district has announced the new College and Career Center principal, Amanda Faunce.

Faunce will begin serving in the position on July 1. She has been the associate principal of Free State High School since 2022 after being the school’s athletic director for four years, according to a press release from the school district.

During the Lawrence school board meeting on Monday, Superintendent Jeanice Swift said this was a “redesigned position” among the district’s administrative staff. As the Journal-World reported, the district has been making an effort to “streamline” positions – whether eliminating, consolidating or not filling positions once staff leave – in an effort to reach competitive compensation for its educators.

“We are tremendously excited to name Dr. Amanda Faunce as Lead Principal, College and Career Center/CTE in Lawrence Public Schools,” Swift said in the release. “Dr. Faunce will lead a critical district effort as we move forward to realign and invigorate Career/Tech Ed programming at the College and Career Center and across all district campuses to ensure meaningful real-world learning experiences, enhance milestone career credentialing opportunities, programs and partnerships aligned to ensure postsecondary success for all students.”

Faunce has nine years of experience teaching social science at Olathe North High School. She also served as assistant principal at Olathe East for five years, and athletics director for three years, before joining Lawrence Public Schools in July 2018.

“As I transition to the Lawrence College and Career Center, I am honored to carry this momentum forward, rooted in the idea that every student, every future, every path is connected to a clear postsecondary plan, real-world experience, and meaningful opportunities that will immediately open the door to their futures,” Faunce said in the release.

Faunce has a bachelor’s degree in social studies comprehensive education from Mid-America Nazarene University. She has a master of science in school leadership and an educational doctorate in school leadership, both from Baker University.

The Lawrence College and Career Center prepares students for their future through hands-on learning experiences. Students have access to industry-standard technology and professional curriculum and can earn college credit while still in high school as well as in-demand industry credentials, with an opportunity for free tuition. All courses at the Lawrence College and Career Center prepare students for post-secondary enrollment.