Incline Village vice principal finalist for Whittell position

A former administrator from Washoe County School District has been selected as the new principal of Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove, officials announced Thursday.

Crespin Esquivel, who served as an administrator at Hug High School in Reno since 2005, accepted the position with the Douglas County School District on Thursday. The recommendation will go before the district board of trustees Tuesday during a meeting at Douglas High School in Minden.

Esquivel will replace outgoing Principal Sue Shannon, who retired at the end of the year.

Esquivel was not available for comment Thursday afternoon.

Rich Alexander, human resources director for the district, said Esquivel's combination of experience and enthusiasm made him an "excellent candidate."

"We were very impressed with his instructional knowledge, his background with working with high school students, and the fact that he took on a number of management and instructional issues (at Hug High)," Alexander said.

Suzanne Harris, president of the Whittell High Booster Club, said Esquivel was the top choice during a recent meet-and-greet the district held with the three final candidates and teachers, parents, staff and students.

"He was our first choice when we had our meeting so we were really pleased he was the person they chose," Harris said. "He has a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and it really seemed he wanted to build on what Sue Shannon has done there and move forward."

Harris was also pleased with Esquivel's experience with advanced placement classes, as well as with students who may be falling behind.

"We have a very high population of college-bound students," Harris said. "So expanding that in any way we can is important to us, as well as helping the students that are struggling."

Esquivel has a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a master's degree in administration from the University of Phoenix. He is licensed in Nevada for school administration.

According to the board of trustees agenda Esquivel was an ESL teacher at Wooster High School in Reno from 1999-2002. From 2002-2004, he was the dean of students and a Spanish teacher at Sparks High School.

From 2004-2005, he was the Hispanic liaison specialist for Washoe County School District. Since 2005, he has been a small school administrator at Hug High, where class populations are divided among administrators to mimic a small-school atmosphere.

In June, Esquivel was transferred to Incline High School, where he was set to serve as the assistant principal.

Parent and 1985 Whittell High graduate Kevin Kjer said he was impressed by Esquivel's ability to build an instant rapport with students during the recent meeting.

"My daughter is coming into the seventh grade, so I want to make sure we have the right fit," Kjer said. "And I think he's the guy."