State board appoints interim education commissioner  

Stacy Preis, formerly a high-ranking official at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, has been named interim commissioner of education. Her first day was June 15.

Preis has worked as an education consultant with Preis Consulting LLC since late 2019, when she stepped down as director of policy at Saint Louis University’s Prime Center.

Brooks Miller, vice president of the state board, was part of the June 15 announcement. He has been leading the governing board since the departure of board President Mary Schrag.

“Preis is widely respected across Missouri for decades of service, thoughtful leadership, and a proven ability to unite communities around student success,” Miller said in a news release. “We appreciate Dr. Preis’s readiness to lead at a pivotal time and look forward to partnering to deliver stronger outcomes for Missouri’s students, educators and families.”

Preis, who has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia, spent nearly six years as executive director of the Missouri General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Education.

She was deputy commissioner from mid-2014 through early 2019.

In the interim role, Preis will work on implementing report cards for schools with an A-F letter grade, among other priories. Her role is to work on issues of classroom learning, school support, real-world learning options and school safety.

“Missouri students, parents and educators expect a department that is responsive, supportive and relentlessly focused on excellence,” Preis said in the release. “I am honored to serve and will work closely with the state board, the dedicated team at DESE, and our partners to drive innovation, strengthen outcomes and continue the progress for Missouri’s children.”

At the start of June, Karla Eslinger stepped down as commissioner of education, and Kelli Jones resigned as deputy commissioner.

The state board is assembling an advisory committee to lead a national search for Eslinger’s permanent replacement.