The Hancock Central School District has appointed Binghamton native Thomas Durkot as Elementary School Principal/Director of Professional Learning and Staff Development, Superintendent Dr. Terrance Dougherty announced Tuesday, April 26. Durkot’s 4-year probationary term, approved by the HCSD Board of Education during last Monday’s regularly scheduled Board Meeting, will begin July 1, 2022.

“I want to build a connection with teachers, students and the community in a collaborative nature that supports students,” said Durkot, a 1997 Chenango Valley graduate and father of four who will bring a plethora of qualifications and experience to the district. “I’m a team player, and Hancock’s mission, vision and core beliefs have really resonated with me.”

In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree (2001), a master’s degree (2003) and a Certificate of Advanced Study (2013) from SUNY Cortland, Durkot’s career in education includes extensive teaching and administrative experience. After teaching grades 5 and 3 at Maine-Endwell from 2002-2013, Durkot became the Elementary Principal (grades UPK-6) at Cincinnatus Central School. He went on to serve as Coordinator of Special Education for DCMO BOCES in 2020 and then joined the Southeast Regional Partnership Center’s Office of Special Education as a Behavioral Specialist for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years.

Durkot said joining Hancock as Elementary School Principal/Director of Professional Learning and Staff Development will give him an opportunity to work with students, staff and community members at both the elementary school and district levels.

“I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about the school and the staff at Hancock,” he said, “and I want to help the district continue to be student-centered with community involvement and success for all.”

Durkot and his wife of 15 years, Barb, live in Binghamton with their four children – sons Carson (age 13) and Cohen (7), and twin daughters Braeleigh and Brielle (11). Barb Durkot teaches third grade at Maine-Endwell. The Durkots also have a therapy dog, Hudson, who often accompanies Barb to school.