Mo. Rev. Stat. § 161.112: Commissioner of education — appointment — qualifications — compensation — removal.

The state board of education shall appoint a commissioner of education as its chief administrative officer. The commissioner shall be a citizen and resident of the state upon assumption of his or her duties, and shall possess an educational attainment and breadth of experience in the administration of public education. The board shall prescribe the duties of the commissioner and fix the commissioner's compensation, and may remove the commissioner at its discretion.