Payne to depart Ephrata School District
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 11 months AGO
Tim Payne, left, has announced his departure from the Ephrata School District’s superintendent position, citing health, family and other personal concerns. Here, Payne stands next to Carrie Wanke, a long-time teacher at Columbia Ridge Elementary, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Columbia Ridge Elementary last October.
FILE PHOTO
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | January 10, 2024 5:46 PM
EPHRATA — Ephrata School District Superintendent Tim Payne has decided to resign from the district, citing personal, family and health issues, according to an ESD press release. His last day with the district will be June 30.
“It has been an honor to serve as Ephrata’s superintendent. Ephrata is a special place with great schools and great community pride,” Payne said in the release.
ESD Assistant Superintendent Ken Murray will assume the role of interim superintendent July 1.
Payne began his tenure as ESD super in 2019. He previously served as the head of College Place Public Schools, superintendent and principal with the Keller School District and as a teacher at Nespelem Elementary.
Health issues include a heart attack in February of 2023, according to the press release.
Ephrata School Board Chair Anita Waller said Payne’s dedication and guidance will be missed.
“Over the course of his five years with us, Tim made a significant impact on our schools and on the Ephrata community. We are stronger because of his steadfast dedication to kids and learning,” she said.
Murray said it was a privilege to follow in Payne’s footsteps and that the district would work to continue to operate on a high standard Payne worked toward.
“Tim has done great things for our district and I am honored and humbled to follow him and assume this important role. Ephrata is truly a special place that deserves only the best. I’m confident that the positive impact we have on our kids and community will continue to be second to none,” Murray said.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: In appreciation of educators ...
An experience I recently had with a school district, quite honestly, has left me gob-smacked a bit. I am in awe of the teachers and administrators at school districts throughout the region and what they have to deal with. Let me get back to the beginning, though. Journalists often cover a wide variety of topics and are constantly looking for ideas for stories that will matter to readers. As such, when we hear of events of interest, we sometimes ask to attend so we can either cover it, or, as in this case, learn how to cover a topic better.