By Dominic Weilminster
Herald Staff Writer

In a 4-2 vote early Wednesday morning, the Durango School District 9-R Board voted to uphold the administration's recommendation for the next principal at Escalante Middle School despite complaints about the choice from numerous parents and teachers.

Bruce Hankins, who will finish this school year as principal at North Valley Middle School in La Salle, was chosen over Escalante Assistant Principal Amy Kendziorski. Kendziorski was the preferred candidate by teachers and parents on the school's search committee.

"After extensive deliberation, the deciding factor proved to be the opinion of the superintendent, who has far more experience in education than any of the board members," said School Board President Cindi Brevik. "We are lay people who are here to help guide the school district. It is the responsibility of experts like (Mary) Barter to make these decisions, and we found nothing invalid about her reasoning."

Kendziorski did not want to comment.

Leading up to the board's decision, teachers and parents spoke against Hankins' selection. They cited Kendziorski's familiarity with Escalante as the deciding factor. But Hankins' experience and accomplishments as a principal at North Valley Middle School swayed district administrators.

"He's an experienced and successful principal and has the qualities that we were looking for," said District 9-R Superintendent Mary Barter. "My decision doesn't denigrate Amy's qualifications, but we felt there would be a stronger leadership team at Escalante if we chose someone with more experience."

Initially, the administration and the selection committee went into the search favoring Kendziorski, but the administration's final recommendation Monday pointed to Hankins, Barter said. The change of heart giving the nod to Hankins upset the search committee and teachers at Escalante, and that led to a second interview with Kendziorski on Monday night.

Even after a second interview, Hankins was the top choice.

"The committee had asked if they could live with either of the two candidates, and they said yes," said Barter, who noted that Kendziorski and Hankins were the search committee's top two choices.

Barter said she hopes Hankins and Kendziorski - who will remain an assistant principal at Escalante - will lead in a collaborative way.

"Mr. Hankins has known of the situation, but he is a very personable and passionate person, and I think he will be supported," Barter said.

Reach Staff Writer Dominic Weilminster here .