Applications accepted through December 1

The deadline to nominate candidates for the Missouri Commissioner of Education position ends at the close of business today. 

Department staff will contact all nominees, inform them of their nomination and invite them to apply. More than 40 names were submitted for nomination. Those interested in applying must complete an application packet by December 1. Candidates do not have to be nominated to apply.

“Hiring the Commissioner of Education is the State Board of Education’s most important job,” said State Board of Education President Peter Herschend. “We take that responsibility very seriously, and I know we will have a list of highly qualified finalists.”

Following the nomination and application process, the State Board will go into closed executive session on December 5 to review and screen all applicants. At that time, the field will be narrowed down to three to five finalists. The Department will release the names of the finalists on December 8, and they will be interviewed by the State Board in December. Following interviews with the finalists, the State Board will vote to name a new Commissioner of Education.

The new Commissioner of Education will replace Chris L. Nicastro, who announced her retirement effective at the end of the year.

Nominations, applications and other recommendations can be submitted via email to: commissionersearch@dese.mo.gov.