Blomstedt Named New Nebraska Commissioner of Education

The Nebraska State Board of Education today named Matthew Blomstedt of Central City the new Nebraska Commissioner of Education.

Blomstedt was selected from a field of four finalists. Blomstedt currently is executive director of the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council. He received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln; a Master of Community and Regional Planning from UN-L; and, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UN-L.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously today for Blomstedt. The four finalists were interviewed Wednesday by the State Board of Education and also met with Nebraska Department of Education staff, legislative staff and representatives of Nebraska’s education partners and policy makers.

Several State Board of Education members noted Blomstedt’s experience with members of the education community statewide and, specifically, his experience working with rural Nebraska schools and developing statewide education and finance policy.

State Board President Pat Timm said the Board’s goal is to work in partnership with Blomstedt to ensure all students learn at high levels and the achievement gap among groups of students is narrowed. The Board’s focus will include the development of a new state accountability system focused on continuous improvement. The overarching goal, Timm said, is to ensure all Nebraska students graduate college and career ready.

A national search was conducted after former Commissioner of Education Roger Breed announced his retirement in July.

For more information about Blomstedt, visit http://www.education.ne.gov/.