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Durango High School activities director, Sunnyside principal hired

New administrators start July 1 along with new transportation director

As one school year comes to an end, Durango School District 9-R has filled three more key positions in time for the upcoming academic year.

Adam Bright, one of four finalists for the athletic and activities director position at Durango High School, will step into the position as Dave Preszler retires.

Bright has served as an athletic director in Texas and Colorado for 12 years and currently holds a similar position at Middle Park High School in Granby.

“A school with a rich history of success, that is committed to excellence and with a great staff already in place makes Durango a dream destination,” Bright said. “I look forward to working with the new building administration over the coming weeks to chart a course to make DHS a model activities and athletics department that all of Colorado looks to for new and creative ways of providing the best possible experience for our students.”

DHS will also welcome a new principal, Jonathan Hoerl, in July as Leanne Garcia moves to become director of secondary education for the school district.

Patrick Hyatt is joining 9-R as the new principal at Sunnyside Elementary School. He has an extensive teaching and administrative background from Pueblo. Most recently – and somewhat complicating the hiring process – he has been teaching elementary-aged students in Italy.

“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of Sunnyside Elementary School, Durango 9-R and the Durango community,” Hyatt said. “I look forward to getting to know and working with everyone. My family and I appreciate the opportunity to be here.”

Hyatt replaces Dylan Connell, who is stepping into the role of director of elementary education for the district. Sunnyside has undergone several changes in leadership over the last several years, and families and staff are hoping for stability in the position.

Longtime 9-R employee and lead mechanic Daniel Blythe has been promoted to transportation coordinator. After being with District 9-R for 16 years, he has a deep understanding of the workings of the transportation department that will support the district’s goals to offer safe and dependable transportation to and from school, 9-R spokeswoman Julie Popp said.

“My goal for the next year is to fill open positions,” Blythe said, “and work together with staff and the community to move the transportation department forward in a positive direction.”

Blythe will have his work cut out for him in dealing with the district’s persistent shortage of bus drivers. During the 2015-2016 school year, the shortages led to administrative personnel driving buses and eventually holding rolling cancellations for two months.

All three begin their positions July 1, at the start of the district’s fiscal year.

“We are very fortunate to have had a large pool of highly qualified candidates for all these positions,” 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger said, “offering us an opportunity to select those who best fit the needs of each unique entity of 9-R. We look forward to the immense knowledge and great ideas all three will inevitably bring the district and the communities we serve.”

abutler@durangoherald.com

May 12, 2016
Durango High School hires a new principal
Apr 8, 2016
Two Durango school principals moving to administration
Feb 26, 2016
School district ends rolling bus route cancellations
Jan 4, 2016
9-R announces bus cancellation schedule
Nov 2, 2015
Persistent driver shortage has Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio schools scrambling
Mar 26, 2015
Durango schools fill bus-driver ranks
Aug 11, 2014
New faces abound for 9-R schools


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