Murphy named as interim Edwards principal

Newberg educator Scott Murphy will serve as interim principal of Edwards Elementary School for the 2014-15 school tear. Murphy is currently the assistant principal of Mountain View Middle School. He replaces Sue Luthra, who resigned to accept a principal position in the Salem-Keizer School District.

The decision to name an interim principal did not come easily.  A committee of teachers, staff, parents and administrators interviewed two rounds of candidates after an extensive search.

“We simply did not find the right person for the position, “ said Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza.

Instead, LeBlanc-Esparza turned to the leadership currently working in the district to serve Edwards on an interim basis.

“Scott will do a great job supporting and leading Edwards,” said LeBlanc-Esparza. “He has a reputation for being very student-centered and is known for building strong relationships.”

Murphy says he is looking forward to working with the outstanding staff and dedicated parents at Edwards.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to join the team at Edwards and am looking forward to the coming year,” said Murphy.

Prior to joining the Mountain View staff in 2012, Murphy served as an assistant principal and a teacher at Astoria Middle School, and as principal of Captain Robert Gray School, Astoria. Murphy has worked as a classroom teacher in The Dalles and in Montana. He has developed and taught in an English language in Japan. Murphy also served as the Director of Title Programs for the Astoria School District.

Murphy received his Masters in Education from Montana State University, Billings, Montana and his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Eastern Montana College. He earned his administrative credentials at Portland State University.

LeBlanc-Esparza notes that the district will begin the process to select a permanent leader for Edwards early next spring. Mountain View Middle School principal Wayne Strong expects to name an interim assistant principal to replace Murphy before the start of the 2014-15 school year.