BAYFIELD – Bayfield School District’s new superintendent won’t have to move far for his new job.
Dylan Connell, recently selected from a pool of three finalists, currently lives in Durango, where he serves as chief academic officer for the Durango School District 9-R.
This will be Connell’s first time stepping into a superintendent role; a challenge he says he’s not only ready for but excited to take on.
“What excites me about leadership and the superintendency is the ability to be part of shaping the entire community. I've had great mentors, great leaders, who've taught me along the way,” Connell said. “I’m excited to take on the beautiful challenge of making sure our school system is excellent for every kid, every day, and I know I'm ready for that.”
In January, Superintendent Leon Hanhardt announced he would resign at the end of the school year, prompting a monthslong search by the Bayfield School Board for his replacement. The board ultimately narrowed it’s candidate pool to three finalists: Andrew Burns, executive director of student support services for Pueblo School District; Bill Hesford, Bayfield’s assistant superintendent; and Connell.
All three brought decades of experience as educators and administrators, along with strong ties to La Plata County.
Asked about what set him apart from the other candidates, Connell deferred to the board and the community but emphasized his student-first philosophy.
“I hope what stood out is my commitment to students and to collaborative work with all the partners in education,” he said.
Connell has worked in various administrative roles in the 9-R school district since 2013.
Though his family now lives in Durango, he said their home base was originally in Bayfield. The relocation came as a practical decision when driving their two children to and from school and extracurricular activities became too much.
“We love the community, we love the places, we love the people, and my wife and I were excited to get back there,” Connell said. “My kids just graduated. We're not carting them around to all the things we needed to anymore. This was always the plan – to get back to that place.”
Connell, who has more than 15 years of experience in education, will officially begin his new role July 1 but he has already been working with Hanhardt to ensure a smooth transition.
“Leon, Mr. Hesford, and I have been coordinating closely – emailing, meeting and even taking personal time for full-day handoffs,” he said. “The goal is to make sure we don’t miss a beat.”
Though still committed to his current responsibilities in Durango, Connell is using every available moment to connect with Bayfield principals, board members and community members in preparation for his new role.
Looking ahead, Connell said his top priority is to ensure students graduate with lifelong skills needed for success – while navigating an increasingly complex educational landscape.
“We have to get over the politically divisive things and just aim at loving one another in really intentional ways, treating other people the way that we want to be treated ourselves,” he said. “And I think that finding that place of resolution in the middle, where we continue to just aim for excellence – for every student, in every classroom, every day.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
