Just as the state of Colorado is embarking on a number of critical education initiatives, Education Commissioner Rich Crandall shocked the state by suddenly announcing his resignation last week. Crandall had only been on the job for four and a half months, reports Chalkbeat.org.
The need to change horses midstream marks a big setback for the state’s Education Department. Crandall cited family reasons and the demands of the job as factors in his decision. A former Republican lawmaker from Arizona, Crandall has seven children and six stepchildren living outside Colorado. The Board of Education unanimously voted to hire Crandall after selecting him as sole finalist in early January. The agency will meet Friday afternoon to formally accept his resignation and discuss what to do next.
Crandall’s exit comes as education departments nationwide face a major federal education policy shift.