When classes started this fall, it was not just the first day for new students. Rick Doll also spent his first day as the new superintendent of the Lawrence School District. Doll took over the position from Randy Weseman who retired the position after serving nine years starting in 2001.
  English teacher Jeanne Averill who was at the Teacher’s Convocation where they introduced Doll said she will miss Weseman, but was very encouraged from what she heard from Doll.

   “I will miss Randy,” Averill said. “But I liked what [Doll] said, I got a good first impression.”

   Doll, previously the superintendent in Louisburg, is excited to come to Lawrence.

   “It’s a fun town,” Doll said. “I am looking forward to getting started and meeting with students and staff to see what they think of the district.”

   Having no previous connections with the city of Lawrence, Doll did his research.

   “Lawrence has an excellent reputation,” Doll said. “Particularly for educating kids to be ready for four year colleges, even for the elite four year colleges.”

   Doll also thinks highly of Lawrence High.

   “Man, Lawrence High is doing a lot of really, really good things,” Doll said. “The beauty of Lawrence High is the diverse student population. That is just a wonderful asset.”

   New Lawrence High Principal Matt Brungardt also likes the hire.

   “He is doing a good job; he is out in the schools, and in the class rooms being a lot more visible.”

   The biggest problem Doll will be facing is the budget cuts.

   “We’re afraid the governor will cut us again,” Doll said. “We don’t control how much money we get, all we can control is the expenditures side.”

      Doll is looking forward to the challenges of being the superintendent of a larger district, which has always been one of his main goals. He is coming to Lawrence with new ideas and high expectations for the district.