Trailside Elementary Gets New Principal After Abrupt Leadership Departure

Alane Gaspari, a 19-year Park City School District veteran, will take the helm at Trailside Elementary on July 1 after the Park City School District Board of Education approved her contract at its Tuesday meeting. Her appointment closes a weeks-long leadership gap at the Trailside Drive school following the abrupt departure of principal Tricia Wilbourne in March.

Wilbourne had been appointed to the Trailside post just last April, making her tenure at the school shorter than a single academic year. The district declined to explain the circumstances of her exit. "The district cannot comment on personnel matters," officials said, adding that their "focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition and continued support for students, staff, and families."

Gaspari brings a deep institutional footprint to the role. Since joining the district in 2007, she taught first grade and dual-immersion third grade at Parley's Park Elementary before moving into an interventionist position focused on reading. She also served on the Park City Reads board and holds reading certifications designed to support diverse learning needs, a credential set that Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman said drove the hiring decision.

"Alane's institutional knowledge, combined with her expertise in literacy and student services, makes her the ideal leader to build upon Trailside's success," Huntsman said in a statement. "She's a proven advocate for student growth who understands the unique spirit of our community."

Wilbourne's March departure prompted visible concern among Trailside families. A parent letter published in the Park Record in mid-March described Wilbourne's short tenure as having made "such a positive impact on the entire school community" and questioned whether the non-renewal decision was made in students' best interests.

Gaspari's July 1 start date gives her the full summer to prepare before Trailside's doors open for the 2026-27 school year.