State board slows education commissioner search

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Board of Education is slowing down the search to replace outgoing Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro after facing criticism that the process was being rushed.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says nominations and applications will be accepted through Nov. 21.

A release says the public is invited to provide recommendations on factors to be considered in evaluating candidates.

The announcement was a departure from earlier plans to quickly hire someone to take over for Nicastro when she departs at the end of the year. School board president Peter Herschend had said last week that he expected the board would emerge from a closed session at its meeting on Monday and vote on its choice.

The board now hopes to pick a commissioner by Dec 31.