Principal David Sharp announced his retirement to the Northwest community in an email Wednesday.

Sharp served as principal for Northwest for two years and has worked in public education for 30 years. Before Blue Valley, Sharp was an administrator in the Lee’s Summit School District. Prior to Lee’s Summit, Sharp was a science teacher, coach and administrator. Sharp interviewed for the position as principal at Northwest, and later accepted the job offer. He had always planned on being in the position for about two or three years.

“We’ve accomplished a lot in two years here. And so then I’m in a really good place. And so then it’s time [to retire] when things are good,” Sharp said.  

Sharp said the responsibility weighed on him after so many years. He described an aspect of being a building principal as hard to turn off and relax. However, the intensity of the job did not waver his commitment to students and the community.

“I’m still emailing and talking to folks and calling people until 8, 9 or 10 o’clock at night,” Sharp said. “I love it. But it just gets to the point.”

Sharp reflected on the impact his role had on himself, the rewards and also the challenges.

“There are challenges but the reward is much bigger than the challenges. But after you do it for so long, [I am] not able to shut it off sometimes. I worry, right I am worrier,” Sharp said. 

Sharp emphasized his leaving at the end of the school year will not impact students, and that the semester will continue as normal. He said his relationship with the study body is unwavering, and he will continue to lead and do his job to the best of his ability until his time comes to an end. 

“The kids here have accepted me as their leader day one and they know that I’m a genuine person,” Sharp said. “You all are the whole reason that we’re here and seeing the success of our kids, that’s my favorite.”

Sharp said he has truly enjoyed his time at Northwest, and has mixed feelings about his choice to leave because of his love for the students and staff.

“It’s a really great rewarding job from the best in the world. But it’s hard. And it has its challenges like anything else does,” Sharp said.

Assistant principal and athletic director Debbie Katzfey said she has known Sharp for 30 years as not only a colleague, but as a friend. Katzfey and Sharp worked at Lee’s Summit West high school, both as assistant principals. Sharp was hired as a principal there, with Katzfey as the athletic director. After leaving Lee’s Summit West, the pair assumed the same roles at Northwest in 2022. 

Tears welled up in Katzfey’s eyes as she reflected on their friendship and careers.

“We have a whole lot of memories that have been made at Lee’s Summit and in Blue Valley, so I’ll always cherish that,” she said.

One of Sharp’s favorite accomplishments is the relationships he has formed with the community, along with a newfound admiration for the color purple. 

 “The connection with the parents, the teachers and the kids. That’s probably my favorite. It’s been my favorite thing and just everything Northwest,” Sharp said. “I got so much purple stuff now. I’ve never had that much stuff you know, I do now.”

Katzfey said one of her favorite changes Sharp made was the growth of school pride.

“The passion, the purpose and the pride is something that he always ate, slept and dreamed because that’s what drove him as leader,” Katzfey said.

The toughest part of retirement for Sharp will be leaving the students, staff and community.

“You all will be the tough or the toughest part of it for me, because I’ve made some really wonderful connections with our kids and our families here and there. That’s the reason why I come here every day,” Sharp said.

If he had more time, Sharp said he would continue to enhance the mission and vision of Northwest. He came to the school with the goal to cultivate the culture and spirit, and feels he has made a noticeable difference.

“This is a really good one, one of the best schools in the country,” Sharp said. “Gosh, I really wanna keep doing this forever, which is not physically possible as I get older. Yeah, I just have to settle in.”

After retirement from leadership, Sharp plans on continuing to work in the Blue Valley district wherever the opportunity may be. He would consider coaching, teaching science or being in administration.

“I still want to be able to work and contribute. It’s just being able to keep up the momentum and the pace. That’s the hard part for me right now is the momentum and the pace to keep it up to the ability to do that,” Sharp said. “The only thing I’m really retiring from right now is building leadership and just the amount of what’s required of this position as I’ve gotten older. It’s just to a point now where it’s time to give somebody else a chance to lead.”

During a moment of reflection, Sharp thought about his favorite memory from Northwest. 

“Graduation was huge for me last year. I looked out across the sunset over the stadium. And then we had our students that were doing the musical piece, and they were fantastic,” Sharp said. “And they were there and they were singing and I was looking at all the graduates and of course, everybody’s in their caps and gowns all across everything. And I’m looking I see the stadium was full from both sides. And I just was like, ‘This is unbelievable, man.’” 

Sharp said he wanted to express his gratitude to everyone who stood by him during his time as principal.

“Thank you to you, to the student body, to the parents, to the community. For taking me and trust in me. And just walking alongside me on this journey,” Sharp said.