New principal at Ekalaka Public Schools

Ekalaka Public Schools Principal Brian Purnell has been working in education since 2006.

Purnell grew up in the cattle ranching town of John Day, Oregon, a town similar in size to Baker. He finished high school in 2001 and then attended Corbin University in Salem, Oregon, graduating with an elementary education degree in 2006.

He told the Eagle on Wednesday that he played baseball for four years at Corbin, and that it helped pay for his schooling. Purnell is a big time sports fan, and as far as baseball goes, is an Atlanta Braves fan. In college he played multiple positions on the diamond, but his main position was third base. His older brother also played for Corbin while he was there.

"It was awesome to get to play with him," he said. "We covered the left side of the infield together."

By 2010, Purnell had visited all thirty MLB ballparks that were operational at the time.

Purnell started his career in education as a fifth grade teacher in Salem. In total, he spent five years teaching. He is now in his tenth year as an administrator and spent the last five years working for the Prospect School District in Oregon. The first three years he was K-12 principal; the last two he was superintendent and elementary principal.

Purnell said that he and his wife, Summer, had decided over a year ago that they wanted to move to Montana, so he had been searching for jobs in the state when he found the job posting for Ekalaka Public Schools. He also had the opportunity to work in Juneau, Alaska, and although he had worked in Alaska previously, the couple felt that Ekalaka was the best fit for his family.

"We wanted a small town, and Ekalaka felt like the right fit," he said.

Aside from his work and love for baseball, Purnell is also an avid archery hunter and enjoys playing golf, at least when his four-year-old daughter isn't keeping him busy. He has coached athletics as well; spending four years as a high school baseball coach and six years as a basketball coach.

When asked about his short time in Ekalaka so far, Purnell was quick to note that parent involvement with the school district is top notch.

"Parents are a part of the process here. During homecoming, they showed up at the pep rally, the parade and the games. I've never seen anything like it or anything even close in the four other high schools I've worked at. It's unique."