Ridder not selected for Wyoming post

The governor of Wyoming has made his choice for the director of the state's Department of Education, but it isn't Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Norm Ridder.

Ridder was one of three finalists for the job, chosen out of 84 applicants and six semifinalists.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead selected Richard Crandall, CEO and chief financial officer for CN Resources and Crandall Corporate Dietitians in Mesa, Ariz., as well as an Arizona state senator, according to a news release from the governor's office.

“Richard impressed me with his strong background in education policy and innovation," Mead said in the release. "His work with the Digital Learning Commission, a national panel established by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has given him special insight into classroom instruction and uses of technology."

The director position is a newly created post. Previously, the elected superintendent of public instruction also served as head of the Wyoming Department of Education.

In February, Ridder informed the SPS Board of Education he did not wish to extend his current contract, which ends in 2015. He has led the school district since 2005 and has a 2012-13 academic year base salary of $159,333.[[In-content Ad]]