The new principal at the Welches schools won’t likely get lost during the first few days on the job.

As a former teacher there, she’s walked the halls many times before.

The Oregon Trail School District announced Kendra Payne, who taught science at Welches Middle School for seven years and served as the Dean of Students for both schools during one year, as the new principal at
Welches Elementary and Middle Schools.

“The community itself and the students are incredible,” said Payne, who
enjoys gardening, hiking and camping. “There’s something really special and
unique about the kids who live on the Mountain. I think Welches is a pretty
special and unique place ... for me it’s a perfect situation.”

The district selected Payne, a mother of two and a Sandy resident, out of an
application pool of more than 30.

She first started teaching at Welches in 2002 and also spent two years
teaching life science at Cedar Ridge Middle School in Sandy.

Payne took on leadership positions at Cedar Ridge with the site council, the
district safety committee and the Positive Behavior Interventions and
Supports, and called her time at the school “incredibly valuable.”

“I just learned so much while I was there,” she said. “It really helped me
prepare myself for this new leadership position.”

Payne sees a “highly motivated, strong and wonderful” staff at the Welches
schools, and noted since she already has working relationships with many of
them, the transition should be a smooth one. Her vision includes creating
unity between the two schools by connecting curriculum and making sure
experiences overlap for students throughout their years there.

School board member Kurt McKnight, Zone 3 (Welches), noted he’s received
numerous calls from residents who are excited about Payne, and described
her as having an “excellent rapport with students and staff.”

“I think the world of her, she’s a great person,” said McKnight, who was not
on the search committee for the new principal but was briefed on any
developments.

Travis Brewster, president of the Welches Parent/Teacher Community
Organization, also sees her previous experience at the schools as a plus “I
think she’ll do good,” said Brewster, who was also not involved in the search
committee. “She’ll definitely pull together the schools.”

Both McKnight and Brewster see Payne’s limited administrative experience as
a challenge, but added that the support of other administrators will help her
overcome that.

“She’s lacking in experience, but there’s a great support staff of principals,”
Brewster said. “There’s some great principals in the district.”

District Superintendent Aaron Bayer praised Payne in a press release, saying
“Kendra has proven she is ready to lead. Through our conversations it has
been made clear that she is wholly focused on student achievement through
the development of high fidelity relationships, building trust and taking risks.
Kendra is a welcomed addition to our administrative staff.”

The community is invited to meet Payne from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, at
the Welches Middle School Library, in Welches.