Jeff Harkin, assistant principal at Free State High School, will retire in June after 29 years of service to public education, the Lawrence school district announced Tuesday.
His announcement comes shortly after Principal Myron Graber announced that he, too, will retire at the end of the year. Two other administrators earlier this week also announced plans to resign or retire.
“My 26 years working in the Lawrence secondary schools have made for a very fulfilling career. The opportunity to serve this community as an educator in multiple buildings and in various roles has been a dream come true,” Harkin said in the district’s news release.
“From my early days at West Junior High as a teacher and coach to my current role as an assistant principal at Free State, it has all been a wonderful journey. My stops along the way at Southwest, South, and Liberty Memorial Central have filled me with the rich rewards of being an educator connected to a great community.”
It was unclear Tuesday when or whether the positions would be filled. The district is evaluating all staffing decisions as part of the Lawrence school board’s current budget planning process, the release stated.
“Jeff has a long history of dedication and commitment to Lawrence Public Schools and helping prepare middle schoolers for success in high school and our high school students for college and their chosen careers,” Graber said in the release. “Jeff is a valued member of our leadership team, and I hope he fully enjoys pursuing his other passions upon retirement.”
Harkin’s retirement is pending school board approval; if approved, it will be effective June 30.
