Katie Gallagher Named New Principal at IMS

Mercer Island, WA, March 31, 2026 – Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle is pleased to announce Katie Gallagher has been selected as the new principal at Islander Middle School.

Gallagher joined IMS in the 2024-25 school year as an associate principal.

“I am truly honored and excited to serve as the next principal of Islander Middle School,” said Gallagher. “IMS is already home for me. I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside students, partnering with families, and working closely with an incredible staff, and I care deeply about this community. My goal is to ensure every student feels known, supported, and challenged while building the skills and confidence they need for what comes next. I’m excited for what’s ahead and look forward to continuing this work together.”

Read Gallagher’s Message to the IMS community

Rundle made the announcement to IMS staff in a meeting in the school’s library prior to the start of school today.

“Through the screening process Katie Gallagher emerged as the clear leader to become Islander Middle School's next principal,” said Rundle. “As an internal candidate, in many ways her interview has been a nearly two-year process. At the same time, she had to rise above other candidates with more AP experience and even middle level principal tenures.”

“What set her apart from other candidates was her ability to align her current knowledge of IMS with a vision of the future and action steps to get there. This is not a rebuild given the storied success over 20 years with Mary Jo Budzius and Aaron Miller. Instead, IMS is poised for Katie to take a very solid foundation and established direction to lead the evolution of IMS. I am confident the school will neither stand still nor slide backward under her leadership,” continued Rundle.

Gallagher started her teaching career in the 2017-18 school year as kindergarten teacher at James Sales elementary in the Franklin Pierce School District. She became a first-grade teacher when she moved to West Mercer elementary for the 2018-2019 school year. In 2022 she took on the role of first grade team lead at West Mercer. Gallagher was an Administrative Intern at IMS during the 2023-24 school year.

Gallagher graduated from Seattle University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Puget Sound in 2017. Gallagher received her K-12 Principal Certification from Seattle University in 2024.

Gallagher is replacing Mary Jo Budzius, who is moving to the District office as the Director of Teaching and Learning next year, as the IMS principal starting in the 2026-27 school year.