Missouri Board of Education President Mary Schrag resigned, effective immediately, June 2.
“With new State Board members well established and more on the way, this is a natural and logical time for me to step away. It’s been an honor to serve Missouri students alongside all the State Board members,” Schrag stated.
Former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson appointed Schrag as board president in 2019.
“Claudia and I want to thank Mary Schrag for her years of dedicated service to students, families, and educators on the Missouri State Board of Education,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement sent to ABC 17 News. “Even after her term expired, Mary continued to serve as president of the board – providing steady leadership, stability, and guidance for new members. Her commitment to education has made a lasting impact, and we wish her the very best in this next chapter.”
As part of the board, Schrag’s roles included overseeing K-12 public education in Missouri, setting academic standards, managing education funds, accrediting school districts, establishing faculty requirements, and appointing the commissioner of education.
“Please know that my support for public education in Missouri is not going anywhere,” Schrag said in her resignation.
Karla Eslinger, Missouri’s former commissioner of education, also retired June 1.
Board of Education Vice President Brooks Miller will temporarily serve as board president, according to board policy. The commissioner’s position, however, remains vacant.
The Missouri Board of Education will elect a new president from the current board members June 23, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
