Quentin Rials, assistant principal at Lawrence High School, will serve as interim principal of West Middle School, effective July 1.
Rials served two years as a learning coach at West before joining the Lawrence High administrative team in November of 2018, according to an announcement from the district.
Rials graduated from LHS himself in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Baker University, his juris doctorate at Washburn University, and a master’s degree at the University of Kansas, where he is a doctoral candidate, according to the announcement.
Rials worked as an attorney for six years in private practice, both on behalf of a multi-national corporation and for the state of Kansas, before he joined Lawrence Public Schools, according to the announcement. He also served five years as a middle school math teacher and coached in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with a strong team to lead West Middle School and continue to build that family-rich community feel that l experienced at LHS,” Rials said in the announcement. “I went to West back when it was a junior high in the early 90s. Before I was an assistant principal at LHS, l was the learning coach at West, and I know that I am walking into a building with excellent teachers and strong support staff. I look forward to building relationships with the students, community, and teachers to continue the rich traditions of success at West.”
Rials succeeds Kathy Branson, who is retiring after 30 years of service to the district.
“Quentin has used his instructional coaching experience to support the continuous development of our professional teaching staff,” Superintendent Anthony Lewis said in the announcement. “He also understands the critical importance of building strong relationships with students and families. I’m pleased that he will bring his leadership skills to West as interim principal.”
The district made the announcement on Friday, but the news release was not sent to media. Lewis announced Rials’ new position during Monday’s school board meeting.
The district will evaluate the LHS assistant principal position and other vacancies as part of its budget process.
