Superintendent Hedalen Appoints Craig Barringer as OPI Deputy Superintendent, Announces Additional Executive Staff Appointments

• McKenna Gregg
• June 04 2025

HELENA, Mont. – Superintendent Susie Hedalen today announced several executive staff appointments to the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI). These additions bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the agency, ensuring strong support for Montana’s schools, students, and educators.

“I’m excited to introduce these talented individuals to our team,” said Superintendent Hedalen.“Their diverse backgrounds, deep commitment to education, and wealth of experience will help us provide strong leadership and effective services for our schools and communities.”

When Ron Whitmoyer stepped into the role of Interim Deputy Superintendent, his extensive leadership experience and deep understanding of Montana’s education system provided invaluable support during this transition. From the beginning, his role was temporary, but his impact has been lasting. As we now move forward in hiring a permanent Deputy Superintendent, we want to sincerely thank Ron for his steady guidance and commitment to ensuring continuity throughout this process. His contributions have been truly appreciated.

The following individuals are joining the Superintendent’s office:

• Craig Barringer has been appointed as Deputy Superintendent. A native of Darby, Montana, Craig holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana. His experience spans 39 years, including 14 years as a superintendent in Conrad, Libby, and Green River, WY. Prior to that, Craig served 13 years as a principal in Conrad and began his career as a classroom teacher for 12 years in Cut Bank and Fort Benton.

• Dylan Klapmeier has been appointed Chief of Staff. A native of Forsyth, Montana, Dylan previously served as Governor Gianforte’s Education Policy Advisor and prior to that worked at OPI as the agency’s Communications Director. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from the University of Montana. 

•  Aislinn Brown has been appointed Chief Legal Counsel. A native of Juneau, Alaska, Aislinn is a Georgetown Law graduate and most recently served as bureau chief for Agency Legal Services Bureau at the Montana Department of Justice. She looks forward to using her decade of experience advising and litigating on behalf of state agencies to assist and further OPI’s mission of supporting Montana schools.

Superintendent Hedalen emphasized her commitment to keeping stakeholders informed and engaged. “This team reflects our shared values of service, integrity, and innovation. I look forward to working closely with them to advance academic opportunities and ensure all Montana students have access to quality education while providing strong customer service to local schools.” 

To learn more about the Montana Office of Public Instruction and its leadership team, visit https://opi.mt.gov.

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Questions? Contact: 

McKenna Gregg, Communications Director 

The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.