Asp nominated to be interim education commissioner

Elliott Asp, special assistant to the state education commissioner, has been nominated to be interim commissioner.

A subcommittee of the State Board of Education recommended this week that Asp be named to the interim job. If approved, Asp would fill in after current Commissioner Robert Hammond’s retirement becomes effective June 25. The full seven-member board will vote on the recommendation at its meeting next week.

Elliott Asp / File photo

According to an email circulated within the Department of Education, “Dr. Asp has indicated he will not seek the permanent position.”

Asp is a well-known and respected figure in state education circles. He joined CDE in November 2012 after retiring as Cherry Creek’s assistant superintendent for performance improvement. An assessment specialist, he previously held a similar position in Douglas County and also worked in Aurora and Littleton. He’s worked in education for more than 35 years and has been a teacher and assistant principal.

At CDE Asp has worked on projects related to assessment, accountability, educator effectiveness and the Colorado Growth Model. He’s become a familiar figure at education meetings and at the Capitol explaining department work on those issues.

Hammond announced his retirement decision in late April. See this story about that announcement and read Hammond’s comments about the future of education in Colorado.

Another key Hammond aide, Deputy Commissioner Keith Owen, also is leaving CDE this month to become superintendent of the Fountain-Fort Carson district.