Missouri Education Department Names Interim Commissioner

October 29, 2026 - 06:58

Lisa Sireno, a longtime Missouri education official, will serve as interim commissioner after Stacey Preis resigned, becoming the department's third chief administrator in less than a year. The appointment comes as the agency faces ongoing scrutiny over leadership stability and internal operations.

Sireno has spent years working within the department and brings institutional knowledge to the role during a period of transition. Her selection is intended to provide continuity while officials search for a permanent commissioner. The state board has not announced a timeline for that search.

Preis stepped down after a short tenure, continuing a pattern of turnover that has raised questions about the agency's direction. The department has seen multiple leadership changes since early last year, with each transition prompting calls for greater transparency and consistency in how decisions are made.

Sireno will oversee daily operations and key initiatives until a permanent replacement is named. Education stakeholders across the state will be watching closely to see how the interim leader handles pressing issues, including school funding, teacher recruitment, and student performance measures. The board has indicated it will provide updates on the permanent search in the coming weeks.