CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The public will be allowed to ask questions of those in the running to become the Wyoming Department of Education director.

Education board members decided Thursday to hold a moderated forum for people to ask questions of candidates for the newly created job. The Associated Press reported that the board also plans to interview about six semi-finalists behind closed doors on May 31 and June 1 in Cheyenne.

Board chairman Ron Micheli said it's reasonable for the public to know who the candidates are at that point.

The planned process is a contrast to the search for the University of Wyoming president. The search was initially closed to the public, which lead to months of legal disputes with media organizations.

The director will earn between $190,000 and $220,000.

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