By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The search for a new commissioner for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education continues.
The State Board of Education heard an update on the search process today during a closed-door session of their monthly meeting.
Board President Russell Thompson told reporters afterward that there are several potential candidates for the job.
"We'll try to set up some kind of schedule where the State Board can become more specifically involved with the candidates that are being recommended," Thompson said.
Thompson would not name any of the candidates for DESE Commissioner, or where they're from. He did say they hope to hire someone by July 1st, and have him or her in place before the new school year starts.
"I would personally prefer that person be named during the summer months, so that he or she had an opportunity to become acclimated to the department itself, if indeed it turns out to be someone outside the department," Thompson said.
The winning candidate will succeed Dr. D. Kent King, who died of cancer in January.