The Lawrence school district has named Quail Run Elementary School Principal James Polk to an administrative role at the district level, and Cynthia Emery has been selected as interim principal.
Polk will succeed Jana Craig-Hare as the next director of data and assessment, the district announced in a news release Friday morning. Craig-Hare was promoted t0 executive director of curriculum and instruction in July.
“Polk completed his student teaching in Lawrence Public Schools, and then returned to our district as Quail Run’s principal in 2020,” according to the release. “His prior experience includes serving ten years as a principal, curriculum administrator/administrative intern, reading and math specialist, and elementary teacher in the Kansas City, Kansas, and Gardner schools, and as an adjunct professor at Baker University. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas and his master’s through KU and Baker.”
Polk said in the release that he’s extremely proud of his time at Quail Run.
“Our team has accomplished some amazing things during my tenure,” he said in the release. “We’ve created a culture where all feel welcome, reached some of our highest achievement scores Quail Run has ever seen, and built lasting relationships with our amazing commUNITY.”
“I am thrilled to be able to serve our district in my new role,” Polk continued. “I look forward to continuing the data culture that our district has created and working more closely with all of our stakeholders to further the positive progress we are making.”
Emery is in her third year as an academic interventionist at Quail Run, according to the release.
“She is national board certified – the gold standard in teacher certification – in Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading and Language Arts,” according to the release. “Emery’s prior experience includes serving as an instructional coach, elementary and English as a Second Language teacher, family engagement coordinator, and special education dance teacher for eight years in schools in Manhattan, Kansas; Washington, Idaho, and Utah. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Utah Valley University, her master’s through Western Governor’s University, and is working toward a doctorate at Kansas State University.”
Emery said in the release that she is honored and humbled to serve in the interim principal position.
“Having been part of the Quail Run commUNITY as both a staff member and a parent since 2021, I know how hard all stakeholders work to promote excellence, equity, and engagement for all students,” Emery said in the release. “I am committed to ensuring Quail Run remains a nurturing and enriching environment where all students feel welcomed and safe.”
She said she understands the importance of strong partnerships between home and school, and that she’s dedicated to fostering open communication and collaboration.
“Together we can support our Quail Run students in reaching their full potential, both academically and socially. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and am committed to working alongside our staff, students, families, and community to make this school year a great one,” she said.
Polk will support Quail Run through the transition this month.
The district plans to post the principal position and conduct a formal search with input from Quail Run families and staff, according to the release.
Both position changes are effective immediately, pending school board approval, according to the release.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
