JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s interim commissioner of education, Dr. Stacey Preis, resigned effective immediately Tuesday, October 20, after approximately four months in the role. Her departure comes as the State Board of Education debates a new A–F grading framework for public schools and begins a search for permanent leadership.
Preis’s resignation raises questions about the leadership transition at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, but the public record does not establish that she was fired or forced to resign.
A sudden departure
Preis had served as interim commissioner since June following the retirement of Commissioner Karla Eslinger. Before assuming the interim role, Preis worked in senior education leadership, including as a deputy commissioner at DESE.
According to reporting by the Missouri Independent, Preis described the resignation as her own decision and said nobody had directly instructed her to resign to avoid dismissal. Her remarks indicated that she believed different leadership could better serve the board’s direction. Those comments do not establish a formal decision by the board to remove her.
School grading proposal draws scrutiny
The timing of the resignation coincides with work on a proposed A–F accountability system for Missouri schools, an initiative associated with Gov. Mike Kehoe’s education priorities. The framework is intended to communicate school performance through letter grades and other measures.
Supporters say the grades could make performance information easier for families to understand. Critics question whether a single letter grade adequately reflects student needs, improvement over time and differences in school resources.
The debate also raises a practical question for districts: whether schools identified as struggling will receive meaningful assistance to improve. While the controversy forms part of the context for Preis’s departure, no official finding establishes that it caused her resignation.
Funding and leadership questions
Missouri education leaders are also navigating concerns about funding and the resources available to school districts. Any new accountability framework will be implemented against that broader financial backdrop.
At its October 20 meeting, the State Board of Education voted to hire The K12 Search Group to assist in the search for a permanent commissioner. The board retains responsibility for choosing the next leader.
Published reporting has mentioned political speculation about potential candidates for the permanent position. Speculation is not evidence of an appointment, nor does it establish a connection to Preis’s resignation.
What comes next?
Preis’s departure leaves the department with a leadership transition while major decisions on accountability and school support remain underway. VOTP News STL will continue reviewing official board records, the commissioner’s search process and any additional statements explaining the change.
Sources: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Board of Education announcements and meeting materials; Missouri Independent reporting on the resignation and school accountability debate.
