Sara Murray

The assistant principal and athletic director of Billy Mills Middle School has been selected to be the principal of Quail Run Elementary.

Sara Murray will be replacing Cynthia Emery, a former Quail Run learning coach, who was serving as the school’s interim principal this year following the promotion of James Polk from principal to the district’s director of data and assessment, according to a news release from the Lawrence school district. Murray will begin her new position on July 1.

“I have been truly fortunate to work alongside the exceptional Billy Mills Middle School staff,” Murray said in the release. “Their dedication and collaboration have made me feel welcome as part of an incredible building culture. I will deeply miss the meaningful relationships I have built with staff, students, and families.”

Murray has been at Billy Mills for one year after having served two years as the director of field experiences in the University of Kansas’ School of Education and Human Sciences. She previously supported classroom educators as a curriculum and instructional learning coach for four years in Lawrence Public Schools.

She has also served as a special education and family and consumer sciences teacher for five years in the Auburn-Washburn, Turner and Basehor-Linwood school districts.

Murray has a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University, a master’s degree from Emporia State University and a doctorate from KU.

“We are excited to welcome Sara Murray as the incoming principal of Quail Run Elementary School,” Superintendent Jeanice Swift said in the release. “Mrs. Murray brings a breadth and depth of expertise, anchored in a child-centered approach, and proven experience in working alongside teachers and school teams in service to children and families, staff, and community.”

Quail Run currently serves 424 students. The district will begin a search to fill the Billy Mills assistant principal/athletic director position immediately.