New Ephrata Schools leaders share working vision

EPHRATA — As the 2023-24 school year winds down to a close, newly selected Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray and his soon-to-be Assistant Superintendent Aaron Cummings said they’ll be focused on being purpose-driven and detailed in their approach to running the district together.

“I do think one of the things that the district and the community will feel is, we’re going to get a little deeper into the work we’re going to get a little bit beyond some holistic vision conversations, and we’re going to become a little bit more intentional in our work,” Murray said. “I want to be really clear that getting there is something that you do collaboratively and our district leadership team, our staff, our community voices are going to matter to both Aaron and I.” 

Murray and Cummings will take the helm of the district over the summer after Superintendent Tim Payne opted to leave, citing health concerns and family needs. Murray will move up from the assistant superintendent role while Cummings is the principal at Ephrata High School. Both bring decades of experience in education to their new jobs, having served in various roles, including teaching, coaching, administration and as principals. The goal is to use their experiences to gradually change the district to focus on learning goals for children and young people that provide ESD students with the opportunities they need to build careers and lives for themselves.

That process will include assessment of school programs, student performance and other systemic items that can then be addressed. None of that will happen overnight, but will be a methodic, gradual process to allow students, parents, school board members, staff and the community to provide input on the direction Ephrata School District goes. 

“We’re going to be really intelligent about the pacing of that, because you want to make sure you pace that at a rate that’s received well,” Murray said. 

Cummings said he sees his role as supporting Murray’s vision to move the district forward in a way that benefits its students. 

“I believe one of my responsibilities is to try to put the best teachers that we can find in the classrooms,” Cummings said. “And so that’s going to be one of my main focuses that I’m going to have is to make sure that we have a very good working relationship with our colleges and universities that are putting out teachers.” 

Both administrators said building the current workforce is important as well, with a focus on providing promising paraprofessionals with the tools they need to become fully credentialed teachers. 

Cummings said he’s excited to be able to be at all of the campuses within the district, especially Columbia Ridge and Grant elementary schools which he hasn’t had the opportunity to work at. He’s looking forward to being able to connect with students of all ages across the district by being present.

That chance to be involved with students is going to be important to Murray as well, he said.

“I have an opportunity to have an influence on our entire school district. (That’s) 2,600 students (and) 350-plus staff. You have an opportunity to really have a large, positive impact on the district and the community,” Murray said. 

The pair also want the community to know that they’ll remain accessible to those looking to provide feedback, support school efforts and simply stay connected to the district.

“I think we have a track record of open doors where kids and families (don’t) hesitate to come talk to us if they wanted to talk to us, and we don’t put them through, ‘You’ve gotta go here first before you can get to me.’ That’s not really the way we’ve worked,” Cummings said. 

Rob Miller can be reached via email at editior@columbiabasinherald.com.