EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District appointed Ken Murray as the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources earlier this week.

“Ephrata is growing as a community and as a school district,” said Ephrata School Board Chair Jim Adams, in a release by the district. “To ensure that we’re prepared to meet the future needs of our students, staff and families, it’s time to add additional support to the district office. Ken will not only solidify some of our most important business practices, but he will also have the added benefit of working closely with our superintendent and learning from one of the greats.”

The district release states the appointment is intended to bring a systematic approach to the district's HR practices and to begin succession planning for Superintendent Tim Payne, who plans to leave Ephrata Schools at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Murray is an Ephrata native and Ephrata High School alumnus. He also has 16 years of administrative experience, including 10 years as the principal of Ephrata Middle School. During his time in Ephrata, he has also assisted with district initiatives including union negotiations, hiring practices and coordinating construction projects, the release said.

“As an educator, I’ve always wanted to make a lasting, positive impact on kids and on our community,” said Murray. “I’ve always been driven to be a district-level leader and I’m very excited to take on this new role and make a difference at a whole new level.”

Murray will assume his new role as assistant superintendent in July of 2023, after finishing out the school year as the Principal of Ephrata Middle School. His principal position will be opened to interested internal candidates on April 10, following spring break. A new principal is expected to be named in April.

“Naming Ken to this new position is absolutely in the best interest of Ephrata Schools,” said Payne. “Ken’s background, commitment and deep understanding of Ephrata’s culture, values and traditions, paired with his desire to remain an Ephrata Tiger for years to come are critical to this succession plan’s success. Though he and I are different, we make a pretty great team, and that’s important.”