photo by: Lawrence school district

Quentin Rials, principal of Lawrence High School

Lawrence High School Principal Quentin Rials has died, according to a district statement shared with parents, staff and families.

“He cared deeply about the well-being of students and the LHS staff, and he revered the Lawrence High School community and traditions,” the district said in the statement. “On behalf of the Board of Education and district leadership team, we are deeply grateful for his service, leadership and the lasting impact he made on LHS and our district community.”

Rials had been the principal at LHS since 2023, and he was an alumnus of the high school. He helped lead the Chesty Lions to the Class 6A state basketball championship during his senior year in 1995. Rials served in numerous roles in the Lawrence school district before landing the principal job. He was the assistant principal at LHS for four years and a learning coach at West Middle School for two years, where he was also interim principal for a time.

“Quentin loved LHS,” his family said in the statement. “It was his dream job. He knew the love and care the LHS team had for him and appreciated the cards, notes, well wishes, prayers, visits, and everything you did to support him these past weeks. Quentin often spoke of his LHS team saying, ‘they are good people.'”

The district said members of the Lawrence High School mental health team and the district crisis response team will be available at school on Wednesday during finals to provide grief support for students. The district said it will share information about memorial observances when it becomes available. No cause of death was provided.