INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The makeover of the Incline High School administration continued last week as officials confirmed the hire of a new assistant principal.

Crespin Esquivel, former Hispanic liaison for Hug High School in Reno, begins at Incline High for the 2010-11 school year.

“Crespin will be a huge asset to (new incoming principal) Stacey Cooper,” said Washoe County School District Spokesman Steve Mulvenon. “His ability to interact with students and parents will be a huge help.”

Both Cooper and Esquivel are fluent in Spanish and English, an important skill as the Latino population at IHS has climbed to 33 percent, according to outgoing principal John Clark.

“One of Mr. Esquivel's strengths, and the primary reason for his transfer to Incline HS, is his experience in building solid relationships with the Hispanic community, both among students and parents,” Mulvenon said. “That is a growing segment of the Incline community and his skills will prove invaluable to the school.”

Former IHS assistant principal Kevin Taylor is moving to Reed High School in Reno.

“The large school will broaden his experiences,” said Mulvenon via e-mail on Tuesday.

Taylor was initially critical of the district's attempt to implement International Baccalaureate curriculum into IHS, saying the school was too small for IB and AP to coexist, according to a Dec. 3, 2009, story in the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza.

At a March 11 IB-related informational forum, Taylor retracted his earlier critiques and praised the district's commitment to both programs.

“I am retracting a previous statement I made about IB and AP not being able to coexist in a small school,” Taylor said during the meeting. “Since making that statement, the district has made clear its commitment to funding both IB and AP and providing high school students with the choice to pursue either.”

“Nothing about the IB implementation plans influenced Mr. Taylor's placement,” Mulvenon said in a Tuesday e-mail.