{"id":10053,"date":"2026-05-12T17:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T22:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westplexnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/missouris-top-education-official-announces-retirement-after-only-two-years-in-the-job-2\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:52:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T22:52:25","slug":"missouris-top-education-official-announces-retirement-after-only-two-years-in-the-job-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westplexnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/missouris-top-education-official-announces-retirement-after-only-two-years-in-the-job-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Missouri\u2019s top education official announces retirement after only two years in the job"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger, pictured speaking at a State Board of Education meeting in May of 2025, announced her retirement Tuesday (Annelise Hanshaw\/Missouri Independent).<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Missouri Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger will step down at the end of the month \u2014 two years after taking her position at the top of the state\u2019s education department.<\/span><\/p>\n

She announced her retirement Tuesday afternoon in a closed session of the State Board of Education and in a note to department staff, saying she \u201cdecided to pursue opportunities that will allow (her) to spend more time with (her) family while also exploring new professional endeavors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since <\/span>taking over in 2024<\/span><\/a>, Eslinger has spearheaded the <\/span>creation of a task force to assist struggling schools<\/span><\/a>, pushed for a website modernization to provide Missourians with more access to school data and continued efforts to train teachers on evidence-based literacy instruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her first day as commissioner, <\/span>Eslinger stepped into a months-long crisis<\/span><\/a> as the state\u2019s childcare subsidy program racked up an extensive backlog of payments during issues with a new software provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the department resolved the problem, <\/span>Eslinger told lawmakers<\/span><\/a> that she hoped the program could move to a system of paying childcare providers at the beginning of the month based on their enrollment. Now, over a year later, that switch has faced countless delays, as <\/span>lawmakers pass a budget that would bar the department from making prospective payments<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This challenge was the first of many that Eslinger has approached with what she called a \u201cthe-buck-stops-here\u201d attitude, answering for systemic and preexisting problems while tools to address them were stripped out.<\/span><\/p>\n

In December, she was caught between <\/span>state lawmakers asking for more consequences for underperforming schools<\/span><\/a> and school administrators that were expecting a yearlong delay before their districts could be deemed unaccredited under a new scoring system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eslinger told a Senate committee at the time that she didn\u2019t want to \u201cchange the rules midstream.\u201d The State Board of Education ultimately addressed lawmakers\u2019 chief concerns in January, <\/span>lowering St. Louis Public Schools\u2019 accreditation<\/span><\/a> status despite Eslinger\u2019s concerns that the move could cut back on cooperation between the department and the school district.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed four new members to the seven-member State Board of Education. Since then, the board has <\/span>grappled with its role<\/span><\/a>, as new members looked for more input on the department\u2019s budget request and what legislation it would support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pamela Westbrooks Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills who has served since 2020, told The Independent the newer members struggled to see Eslinger as a new member of the education department seeking solutions rather than part of \u201clong-term challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the new folks not understanding what she was contending with\u2026 They may not have been attuned to how emotionally challenging that is,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

As tones grew more contentious in board meetings, Westbrooks Hodge said that Eslinger answered questions and calmed tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHer managing-up skills were extraordinary,\u201d she said. \u201cShe handled it gracefully, but, you know, after a while it wears on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her first performance review was due from the board later this week. She requested annual reviews during a board retreat last July as she <\/span>unveiled her priorities as commissioner<\/span><\/a>, seemingly with many years in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eslinger\u2019s career in education includes roles as a teacher, school administrator and education policy advisor. She was working as a state senator when a board of former Gov. Mike Parson appointees selected her as commissioner.<\/span><\/p>\n

State Board of Education President Mary Schrag, of West Plains, said in a statement that Eslinger \u201chas always been a tremendous leader and an advocate for public education\u201d throughout roles in education and the state legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a significant loss to the department and for Missouri education,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe she will continue to be a great advocate for public education.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kehoe said in a statement to The Independent that he appreciates Eslinger\u2019s \u201cdecades of service\u201d to the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom her career in public education to serving in the Missouri Senate and as Missouri Commissioner of Education, (she) has remained a strong advocate for educators and students across the state,\u201d he wrote, wishing her and her family well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Previous education commissioner Margie Vandeven held the position from January 2015 to December 2017, when then-Gov. Eric Greitens stacked the board of education to force her out, before returning in 2018 to serve until July 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vandeven announced her retirement months in advance and served alongside Eslinger for one month before fully stepping away.<\/span><\/p>\n

The department said in a press release that \u201cadditional information regarding transition plans\u201d will be shared in coming weeks. In her letter to staff, Eslinger said she is \u201ccommitted to supporting a smooth and successful transition in the weeks ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cServing as Missouri\u2019s commissioner of education has been one of the greatest honors of my career,\u201d she said in a statement. \u201cOver the past two years, I am incredibly proud of the progress we\u2019ve made \u2014 enhancing how we use data to guide decisions, strengthening communication with partners, and laying the groundwork for a strategic plan \u2014 that will continue to benefit students and educators long after my tenure. Missouri\u2019s educators are deeply committed to their students, and it has been a privilege to support their work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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