Interim Missouri education commissioner resigns immediately; reason not disclosed
The interim Missouri Commissioner of Education has resigned, effective immediately.
The announcement was made at the Missouri State Board of Education meeting held in Jefferson City on Tuesday.
The board approved hiring a search committee to fill the position.
Stacey Preis had served as the interim commissioner since June 2026.
Preis would not say why she was leaving before a permanent commissioner was selected.
Preis had taken over for former Commissioner Karla Eslinger, who retired in May.
Two days later, Kelli Jones, then deputy commissioner of learning services, said she was retiring at the end of May.
There was no word on when an interim would be announced.
Preis sent a media release on the resignation.
Preis resignation media release_10.20.2026PDF preview