The Superintendent of Schools serves as the educational leader of the district, overseeing the educational development of its students and the professional development of its staff. The Superintendent maintains positive relationships with the Board of Education, teachers, staff, parents, university and business leaders, and the community to advance excellence in every aspect of the district’s operations.
Dr. Anthony Lewis joined the district in 2018-19 as the ninth superintendent to lead consolidated Unified School District 497 in Lawrence. Dr. Carl Knox served from 1962-84, followed by Dr. Dan Neuenswander (1984-92), Dr. Al Azinger (1992-98), Dr. Kathleen Williams (1998-2000), Randy Weseman (2000-09), Dr. Rick Doll (2009-16), Kyle Hayden (2016-17), and Dr. Anna Stubblefield (2017-18).
Previous school superintendents in Lawrence:
- Albert Newman (1867-68)
- William C. Tenney (1868-70)
- W. C. Rote (1870-74)
- W. H. Cole (1874-75)
- D. B. English (1875-77)
- W. A. Boles (1877-80)
- Ed Stanley (1880-95)
- F. P. Smith (1895-1915)
- Raymond B. Kent (1915-21)
- Harry P. Smith (1921-27)
- W. W. Curfman (1927-31)
- C. E. Birch (1931-39)
- Clifford Dean (1939-45)
- B. George Saltzman (1945-46)
- E. L. Novotny (1946-49)
- William D. Wolfe (1950-62)