Missouri interim education commissioner resigns
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri Interim Commissioner of Education Stacey Preis resigned effective immediately on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the State Board of Education selected a firm to assist with its search for a permanent commissioner.
Preis did not provide a specific reason for her departure. In a statement, she said she submitted her resignation to the board on Tuesday afternoon after accepting the interim position in June to provide “leadership and stability during a time of transition.”
“The responsibility for selecting the next commissioner rests with the State Board of Education,” Preis said. “Leading Missouri’s diverse and complex public education system requires substantial knowledge and experience, sound judgment, and the respect and confidence of those who serve our schools and students.”
It was not immediately clear who would lead the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education following Preis’ departure or when the board would appoint another interim commissioner.
The State Board appointed Preis as interim commissioner on June 15 following the retirement of former Commissioner Karla Eslinger. Preis previously served as a DESE deputy commissioner and as executive director of the Missouri General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Education. She had previously said she did not intend to seek the position permanently.
Earlier Tuesday, the board voted to hire The K12 Search Group to help recruit Missouri’s next permanent education commissioner. According to DESE, the firm will help develop a position profile and recruitment strategy, identify and engage potential candidates and assist with reviewing applicants. The board will retain responsibility for evaluating candidates and making the final selection.
DESE said philanthropic organizations are providing funding for the search firm, with the National Association of State Boards of Education serving as the funding intermediary.
The department identified the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Regional Business Council, The DeBruce Foundation and Town Branch Foundation as organizations supporting the search. DESE said the organizations will not participate in recruiting, evaluating or selecting candidates.
The department’s release did not disclose the search firm’s cost, how much each organization contributed or whether any additional donors were involved. It also did not provide a timeline for selecting the next commissioner.
Preis also highlighted DESE’s work on Missouri’s new A–F school and district grading system in her resignation statement.
The State Board approved the original grading framework in September, allowing DESE to begin modeling school data, discussing the system with stakeholders and evaluating the accuracy of its calculations.
DESE presented potential changes to the framework Tuesday based on that analysis and stakeholder feedback. The board did not vote on the proposed changes. Department officials said they expect to return with formal recommendations for adjustments in December.
“The grade card presented to the State Board today reflects our commitment to high achievement for every child while recognizing the important contributions schools make to growth in student learning,” Preis said.
Preis added “labels and scores do not improve schools.” She said improvement comes from identifying what schools need, providing effective support and directing resources toward strategies that help students.
The State Board’s announcement about the permanent commissioner search said it would provide updates and opportunities for public involvement as the process continues. The announcement did not address Preis’ resignation or identify who would lead DESE following her departure.
The board is responsible for appointing Missouri’s commissioner of education. The commissioner leads DESE and oversees policies and programs affecting public schools, educators and students across the state.
The State Board has not announced when it will meet to select another interim commissioner.
