PRESTON — Betsy Despain is the new principal of Pioneer Elementary School, taking over this fall as longtime educator Cindy Murray retires.

Despain's road back to Preston wound through three school districts. She began teaching second grade at Thatcher Elementary in the Grace School District, then moved to Oakwood Elementary in Preston when Thatcher closed, finishing her administration degree along the way.

From there, she spent seven years in the Marsh Valley School District, splitting time between Downey Elementary and Mountain View Elementary in McCammon.

She and her husband had lived in Preston for years, but Despain said it never quite felt like home until she interviewed at Pioneer Elementary.

"There was just a sense of home there," Despain said. "I think it's a really good fit, and I'm just so excited to work with the staff."

She isn't inheriting a fixer-upper. Under Murray, the school posted the top grade-level proficiency growth in the state this year, climbing from 69 percent to 85 percent.

"They have a curriculum director and the prior principal — they've done an outstanding job," Despain said.

Despain said she doesn't plan to change much about what's already working at the school.

"We want our kids reading, and reading by the time they leave Pioneer Elementary," Despain said.

Pioneer Elementary has also cycled through several principals in recent years, something Despain is aware of as she settles into the role.

"I've had teachers tell me they're excited that they've hired someone local and someone who will probably stick around," Despain said.

That growth in test scores is one piece of the legacy Murray leaves behind after three years as principal and 32 years teaching in the district. Ask her for a single defining memory from her time in the role, though, and she won't give you one.

"Working with amazing staff and students — it was priceless," Murray said.

Murray pointed to an instructional coach as a turning point for the staff.

"We worked hard together to bring the staff as one and have a common vision and goal, and we hadn't had that before," Murray said.

The two principals have already met. Murray said she walked Despain through the school's programs and progress.

"She's aware of what we've done, and she wants to just continue going the direction we've been going," Murray said.

As she prepares to leave the building for good, Murray said she's thankful for the people who supported her along the way.

"They carried me through the ups and downs, my personal life," Murray said. "We celebrated together, and they were so supportive. I couldn't ask for anything more."