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Missouri Commissioner of Education
| Missouri Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $233,136 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $8,735,579,213 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the State Board of Education |
| Authority: | Missouri Constitution, Article IX, Section 2(b), Education |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the Missouri State Board of Education |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Missouri Commissioner of Education
Karla Eslinger | |
| Other Missouri Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Director • Insurance Director • Natural Resources Director • Labor Director • Public Service Commission | |
The Missouri Commissioner of Education is an appointed state executive position in the Missouri state government.
The commissioner oversees the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education and serves as the liaison between the department and district officials.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Missouri Commissioner of Education is Karla Eslinger (nonpartisan). Eslinger assumed office in 2024.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of commissioner of education in Article IV, Education.[2]
Under Article IX, Section 2(b):
|
The board shall select and appoint a commissioner of education as its chief administrative officer, who shall be a citizen and resident of the state, and removable at its discretion... |
Qualifications
Section 161.112 of Missouri Revised Statutes requires the Missouri Commissioner of Education to possess appropriate education and experience in administrating public schools. The commissioner must also be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the state for at least one year prior to appointment. An opinion of the Attorney General of Missouri allows the state Board of Education to appoint a temporary commissioner on a one-year contract to meet this requirement.[3][4]
Appointments
The commissioner of education is selected and appointed by the state Board of Education.[1]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Missouri Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
The duties of the Board of Education are listed on the department's website and include:[5]
- "Appointing the Commissioner of Education and setting policies for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- Defining academic performance standards and assessment requirements for public schools.
- Accrediting local school districts. The Board accredits school districts through the Missouri School Improvement Program, which includes minimum standards for high school graduation, curriculum, student testing, support services and other areas of school operations.
- Establishing requirements for the education, testing, assessment, certification and recertification of all public school teachers and administrators.
- Operating the Missouri School for the Blind(link is external) (St. Louis), the Missouri School for the Deaf(link is external) (Fulton), and the statewide system of Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled.
- Overseeing federal education programs and the distribution of federal funds to school districts.
- Establishing regulations for school bus safety and for fiscal management in local school districts.
- Submitting annual budget recommendations for education to the Missouri Legislature.
- Administering the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Sheltered Workshop program, which provide services for adult Missouri citizens with disabilities."
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Missouri Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Missouri state budget and finances
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's budget for fiscal year 2025 was $8,735,579,213.[6]
Compensation
The state Board of Education fixes the compensation of the commissioner.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $233,136, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $214,464, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $199,272, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $199,272, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $193,464, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $191,544, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $187,776, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $187,776, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner earned a salary of $185,904, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner earned a salary of $185,400.[16]
2010
In 2010, the commissioner earned a salary of $185,400, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Missouri Commissioner of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Missouri Commissioner of Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Telephone: 573-751-4212
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, "Facts About the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Missouri Constitution," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, "Position Announcement," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "Revised Statutes of Missouri," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, "About the State Board," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Missouri Office of Administration, "Fiscal year 2025 Totals by Department," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2021
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