Vol. 43, No. 4
January 16, 2009
Board Begins Search Process for New Commissioner
The State Board of Education has tapped a former long-time member to lead its search for a new Commissioner of Education.
During its meeting yesterday in Jefferson City, the board voted to appoint Tom Davis, a Kansas City businessman, to head the search committee that will help the board select a new Commissioner of Education, Missouri’s top official in public education and director of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The former commissioner, D. Kent King, died Jan. 7, after eight years in the position. The board has named Bert Schulte, the former deputy commissioner, to serve as interim leader until a full-time replacement is selected.
Mr. Davis is chief executive officer of The Meyer Companies, a full-line construction and real estate management firm based in Lee’s Summit. He was a member and officer of the State Board of Education for almost 20 years (1987 to 2006). He participated in the selection of two Commissioners of Education: Robert E. Bartman in 1987 and King in 2000.
Mr. Davis was first appointed by Gov. John Ashcroft in 1987 and reappointed by Gov. Mel Carnahan. He recently served on the Missouri Senate’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism.
The board has not set a schedule or deadline for the search process. It will discuss the selection process in more detail at its next meeting, Feb. 19, in Jefferson City.
Under the Missouri Constitution, members of the State Board of Education are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for eight-year terms. No more than four members of the board may belong to the same political party. The board has independent authority to select the Commissioner of Education. There is currently one vacancy on the eight-member board.