History of USD 497 Superintendents

  • The following is a list of superintendents who have led consolidated Lawrence Unified School District 497: 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), Dr. Anna Stubblefield, interim superintendent (2017-18), Dr. Anthony S. Lewis (2018-2024), and Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift, interim superintendent (2024-2025). 

    Lawrence school superintendents prior to the consolidation of USD 497, include:

    • 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)