AURORA | Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Richard Crandall submitted his resignation to the State Board of Education Thursday, May 19, just five months after taking the job, the CDE announced Thursday.
In a press release issued by CDE, Crandall cited an inability to spend time with his family, who live out of state, as cause for his departure.
“The realities of my large family being out of state, including school-age children, as well as the demands of the position and the time required to fully serve a state as diverse and expansive as Colorado, lead me to this decision,” Crandall said in a statement. “I have enjoyed getting to know and work with so many supporters of public education, especially the staff at the Department of Education. I wish the state board and staff well as they work on implementation of ESSA and the many key policy issues facing the board.”
Crandall has 13 children and step-children, as well as five grandchildren, according to his Twitter profile.
The state board of education unanimously approved Crandall to lead Colorado’s education system Jan. 4. He officially assumed his duties as the state’s top education official Jan. 19 — exactly five months before submitting his intention to step down.
Prior to taking the job in Colorado, Crandall had most recently served as an executive at a pair of nutritional consulting and audit agencies centered on providing services for children and the elderly. He previously served in both chambers of the Arizona legislature.
In 2013, Crandall was selected to lead the Wyoming Department of Education, although the position was later nullified by the Wyoming Supreme Court due to a technicality in the state’s constitution.
The state board of education will meet to discuss Crandall’s resignation at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, according to the CDE press release.
“On behalf of my state board colleagues, I want to thank Commissioner Crandall for his strong and effective advocacy for quality public education for all Colorado children,” Steve Durham, state board Chairman, said in a statement. “I appreciate the importance Mr. Crandall places on family and his recognition of his professional and personal limitations in this demanding position.”
At the meeting Friday, the state board will also table ideas for who will take Crandall’s spot as interim commissioner as the search for a permanent replacement resumes.
Elliot Asp, former assistant superintendent at Aurora Public Schools, served as the interim CDE commissioner prior to Crandall’s appointment in January.