Gilreath appointed as new principal at Parkway Intermediate

EPHRATA —The Ephrata School District has announced Kim Gilreath's appointment as the next principal of Parkway Intermediate School, effective July 1, 2025. Gilreath will succeed current principal Jeremy Vasquez, who plans to return to the classroom. With over 25 years of experience in various educational capacities, Gilreath said she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role. 

Gilreath’s career spans diverse positions, including preschool director and middle school assistant principal. Currently serving as the assistant principal at Sultan Middle School, she has demonstrated a robust commitment to behavior management, social-emotional learning, and Career and Technical Education programming. Her appointment is poised to foster growth and innovation within Parkway Intermediate. 

“Kim is a high-energy, thoughtful leader who puts students at the center of everything she does,” said Ken Murray, Superintendent of the Ephrata School District, in a statement. “She’s passionate about building strong relationships, thinking creatively, and working collaboratively to do what’s best for kids. Kim is deeply committed to effective teaching and holding students to high academic and behavioral expectations, believing that all students can grow when appropriately supported and challenged.” 

Gilreath holds a master’s degree in school administration from Central Washington University and a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Washington, along with multiple endorsements, including CTE certification. She said her educational background equips her with the skills necessary to lead Parkway Intermediate as it navigates the complexities of middle school education. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Parkway Intermediate team,” she said. “One of the things that really drew me to this school is its strong commitment to character development in students. I love building connections, thinking outside the box, and working collaboratively with staff and families to do what’s best for kids.”  

Gilreath said that fifth and sixth grades are her favorite group of students to be around because they are young enough that they are still full of energy and they still think she is “cool,” but old enough to begin making decisions for their futures.  

“This is such a unique and important time — it’s where elementary students begin to discover who they’re becoming as young adults,” she said. “I’m honored to be part of that journey and can’t wait to get started.” 

With the ongoing challenges faced by schools nationwide, including learning loss due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gilreath anticipates addressing these issues head-on.  

“I think schools across the country are still seeing challenges with learning loss,” she said. “It’s essential that we acknowledge and address this for the benefit of our students.” 

As Parkway Intermediate has seen enrollment growth, Gilreath believes that while this is a positive indicator of the school’s reputation, it also presents challenges.  

“Ephrata is growing, which is a good problem, but we must ensure that we plan for the future. Parkway is an older building facility, and we’re using lots of portables. We need to thoughtfully plan for the future to provide students with all the opportunities we want for them,” she said. 

Engaging with students is a fundamental aspect of Gilreath’s vision for her leadership.  

“I just love kids, so I plan on talking to them, spending time with them, and getting to know them. I want to find out what they think is important and what gets them excited to show up every day,” she said.  

Her strategies include establishing student committees and conducting regular temperature checks, allowing students to voice their opinions and needs. 

Outside her professional duties, Gilreath said she holds a strong belief in community involvement. Growing up in Billings, Mont., and educated at the University of Washington, she said she has a personal connection to Ephrata and regards it as a strong community supportive of educational initiatives. She also said she frequently visited Ephrata while her children competed in sporting events and to visit her family members who live nearby.  

“I love that it’s a small enough town that you have a really strong sense of community. Everyone truly has a heart for seeing kids do well,” she said.  

As her inaugural year approaches, Gilreath aims to foster a positive school culture where both students and staff feel valued.  

“I think we can be stronger together,” she said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to join a strong team in reaching our kids.”