Greitens responds to removal of Board of Education Commissioner

On Friday afternoon, the Board of Education voted 5-3 to remove Commissioner Margie Vandeven immediately.

Shortly after the decision was made, Governor Eric Greitens said, “Today, kids, teachers, and families won. The State Board of Education voted for new leadership for our school system. That’s a major step in the right direction as we work to improve public education in Missouri.”

Greitens has been trying to get a majority of board members to oust Vandeven. The attempt failed on a 4-4 tie last week when Claudia Greim broke ranks with Greitens’ other appointees and joined those appointed by previous governors in voting to keep Vandeven.

Before Vandeven was removed, Greitens appointed Eric Teeman as a new board member.

According to Missouri School Board of Education’s social media, Vandeven says serving as commissioner has been an opportunity she will always cherish, but says education now has become political in Missouri.

And board member Mike Jones says he will be part of the resistance during his remaining time on the State Board.

Greitens said, “The bureaucrats had their chance and they failed our kids. Today things have changed: kids come first.”