Bayfield School District Superintendent Dylan Connell is leaving the role at the end of June, according to a news release from the district.
He has accepted a role at the Abilene Independent School District in Abilene, Texas, the release said, which will allow him to return to his hometown and be closer to extended family.
“It is with a mix of emotions that I share my decision,” Connell said in the release and in a message sent to families Tuesday. “This transition represents both an exciting next step in my career and a vital opportunity to be present for my family.”
He will take his leave after serving in the role for only one year.
He began his tenure July 1 after being chosen for the position by four of the five current Board of Education members. He will officially leave the role June 30.
He previously worked with Durango School District as a chief academic officer.
“Three of our five current board members participated in the superintendent search process last year, and that experience will serve us well as we begin this important work again,” Bayfield School District Board of Education President Rebecca Parnell said in the release. “We will use the lessons we learned to identify the best candidate to continue moving Bayfield schools forward.”
The district will once again work with McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, the firm that assisted in the search for Connell, in their search for a replacement.
“Board members said they are committed to a thoughtful process that invites community input and keeps students at the center of every decision,” the release read. “Under terms established during the previous search, the district is able to utilize a two-year guarantee that allows the new search to proceed without additional consultant cost.”
Connell said his priority is “ensuring a seamless handoff.”
“I am confident that the Bayfield School District is on a brilliant trajectory, and I look forward to cheering on your continued success from afar,” he said in the release.
The district and Connell did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
epond@durangoherald.com
