photo by: Dylan Lysen/Lawrence Journal-World

Lawrence Public Schools district offices pictured in April 2021.

The Lawrence school district announced the appointments of five leaders in key roles beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Superintendent Jeanice Swift told board members on Monday that the appointments were achieved without adding to the number of administrative positions in the district. As the Journal-World reported, the district has been “streamlining” positions – whether eliminating, consolidating or not filling positions once staff leave – in an effort to reach competitive compensation for its educators.

“With these strategic appointments, we are able to align work more efficiently to ensure opportunities for students, to match leadership roles and programming to serve in key areas of need for the Lawrence Public Schools,” Swift said.

The following staff will begin serving in their new positions on July 1, 2026:

photo by: Contributed

Zach Harwood, principal of Lawrence Virtual School and Choice Campus at Centennial.

• Zach Harwood, principal of Lawrence Virtual School, will also be the principal of the new Choice Campus at Centennial. Harwood has been the principal of the Lawrence Virtual School since 2023. Swift said Harwood has paired innovation with a sustained commitment to personalized learning and ensuring every student is known, motivated, and supported.

Renovations are currently underway at the Choice Campus at Centennial to open in time for the 2026-2027 school year. Harwood will continue to provide oversight of the Lawrence Virtual School while also working with team members to design the personalized, flexible learning option for interested high school students at Centennial.

photo by: Contributed

Denise Johnson, principal of Prairie Park Elementary.

• Denise Johnson, principal of Prairie Park Elementary. Johnson has served as interim principal of Prairie Park during the 2025-2026 school year and brings more than 20 years of experience in the school district.

Prior to her interim role, she served as director of elementary curriculum, where she supported educators across the district and helped lead the district’s focus on literacy and instructional improvement.

Swift said “in naming a principal for Prairie Park early, prior to April, as well as in adding preschool programming, this wonderful Prairie Park school community will have the ‘wind at its back’ in building on the foundation of this year, and turning the page to their next chapter.”

• Mark Preut, the lead principal of student support pathways. Preut currently serves as the principal of the Lawrence College and Career Center and Academy, and he has been in the position since 2024, following 13 years of service at Lawrence High School. Preut will also continue to serve as principal of the Academy.

Swift said Preut has a long dedicated service to the school district, and he is widely known for his commitment to students first. Swift said his experience, connections and partnerships will strengthen the work as will the ability to focus on a critical portfolio of student support pathways.

photo by: Contributed

Mark Preut, lead principal of student support pathways.

• Kristen Ryan, assistant superintendent of student support services. Ryan currently serves as the assistant superintendent of human resources and employee relations. She will help the team of student support services launch the district’s new Welcome Center at 110 McDonald Drive. Ryan will improve the work in many student support areas, including Title IX and Mental Health and Trauma Informed practices.

• Samrie Devin, assistant superintendent of human resources and employee relations to replace Ryan. Devin is currently the assistant superintendent and human resources administrator. Swift said she serves as a lead on the team to ensure beneficial working conditions and competitive compensation to attract and retain talent in the district.