Kim Ball’s career in education launched from the halls of the old Sandy High
School, and now it comes full circle as she takes over as the new principal of
the school at the new Bell Street building.

Ball, who is currently the principal at Sandy Grade School, will take over the
role effective July 1.

“I look forward to being able to support teachers so that they can focus all of
their attention on their students,” wrote Ball in an email to The Mountain
Times. “We have a responsibility to provide the very best education possible
so that students have limitless choices when they graduate high school.”

Ball takes over for Tim Werner, who returns to his post as the principal of
Boring Middle School after two years at the high school as part of a transition
plan by the Oregon Trail School District. The district began the search for a
new principal in March.

According to Julia Monteith, OTSD Communications Director, the district
received nine applications, but conducted no interviews and appointed Ball to
the position after she applied for the job.

“She’s a known entity and we knew she would be fabulous,” Monteith said.
“Kim is a leader and role model among our school administrators and I’m
confident in her ability to continue moving Sandy High forward,” added
Superintendent Aaron Bayer in a press release. “Her wealth of experience and
expertise placed her far and above the other possible candidates in our pool.”

Ball, who was born in Anchorage, Alaska but was raised in Boring, is a third-
generation graduate from the school, joining her mother and grandparents.

Now, she gets to take over a new building with many more opportunities for
students.

“The new Sandy High School is a beautiful facility and a tremendous
investment by our community,” Ball wrote. “As far as the former facility went,
we were just getting by. The new facility will strongly support academics for
many, many years to come.”

Ball graduated from SHS in 1989 and returned to the school in 1997 as a
teacher. She later served as the school’s teacher on special assignment,
activities director and a vice principal before transitioning to the principal of
Cottrell Elementary School.

She also helped the district launch its new charter school, the Oregon Trail
Primary Academy, in 2010 before becoming principal at Sandy Grade School.

“Having been away from the high school for six years, it will take me a few
months to get back up to speed with curriculum,” Ball noted. “I feel very
humbled and honored to serve as the principal of Sandy High School. I have
big shoes to fill following former principals, Tim Werner and Aaron Bayer. I
have a deep love for this district and I will always do my absolute best to
support its staff, students and families.”