The State Board of Education will speak publicly today about its search for a new Education Commissioner to replace Chris Nicastro, who is retiring.

Chris Nicastro testifies in a House Committee Hearing (courtesy; Missouri House Communications)

Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro (courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Some state educators and education groups have been critical of the Board, saying the search was being rushed and was not transparent enough. State Board President Peter Herschend had told the Kansas City Star last week he expected the board to vote Monday on a new Commissioner, but has since said that would be pushed back.

He tells reporters he still hopes to have a new commissioner by the time Nicastro retires at the close of the year.

“That’ll be at the Board’s discretion. We’re still working with the December 31, 2014 guideline that we, hopefully, will be able to meet,” says Herschend.

Nicastro has been Education Commissioner since 2009.