BRIGHTON — Longtime Brighton School Administrator Laurie Wright plans to step aside from the district at the end of this school year.

Wright, 53, announced her retirement plans to the School Board and school staff this week. A flyer informing parents of her decision went home with students Friday.

A 30-year veteran of the school, Wright taught for 10 years before beginning a two-decade-long tenure as administrator. She said retirement had been on her mind for a while.

“I think when you make this big of a decision, you take years in pondering it,” she said in an interview Friday.

Among her top accomplishments at the school, Wright cited Brighton’s high academic standards and test results, as well as a strengthening of the district’s finances.

Wright also noted the passage of a $1.9 million referendum in 2000 that added a wing to the school and finally moved the school cafeteria out of a rickety hut that had been a part of the nearby Richard Bong Air Force Base.

“I had the privilege of putting this addition on because we’ve grown so much,” Wright said.

School Board President Judy Uhlenhake said Wright leaves big shoes to fill.

“She’s a hands-on administrator,” Uhlenhake said. “The kids read to her; she’s in the classroom. She just really pours her heart and soul into this school district.”

Uhlenhake said the board will form a community committee to seek out what attributes district residents are seeking in the school’s next administrator. The public is invited to share ideas at a meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the school, 1200 248th Ave.

Meantime, Wright will begin gearing up for a retirement that she expects to involve more time with her horses — she’s an avid rider — traveling and volunteering in the community.

Wright said she will miss the students more than anything after she retires. But, she decided, it is time.

“I think you hit a certain point, and you decide life’s short and you better live it to its fullest,” she said.