During a board meeting held via conference call, members of the State Board of Education determined the process for choosing the next commissioner to lead the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The board decided to open the application process today, Dec. 15, and close applications at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.

A public hearing is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. on Jan. 8 to gather public input on the characteristics that Missourians would like to see in the next commissioner. The hearing will be held in the State Board of Education Room on the first floor of the Jefferson Building, 205 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, Mo.

A subcommittee made up of State Board Vice President Vic Lenz and members Eddy Justice and Jennifer Edwards will gather input from education groups, lawmakers and the governor’s office. The input gathered from the public and other stakeholders will be used in the selection process.