Missouri Education Commissioner resigns after tumultuous last few years

See Related Stories

Intro:	The Missouri State Board of Education will have a new leader come next year after the commissioner resigned Monday
RunTime:	0:34
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro announced her resignation Monday effective December 31, 2014.

She denied political pressure from either party influenced her decision.

Actuality:	NICQUIT4.WAV
Run Time:	00:09
Description: "Not at all actually. In some ways, if anything, that would probably make me less likely to leave right now."

Nicastro was heavily criticized by both St. Louis and Kansas City lawmakers for the Board's decision revoking accreditation from the Normandy and Kansas City public schools.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A Democratic senator says the outgoing Board of Education commissioner did not communicate effectively with lawmakers
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: After Commissioner Chris Nicastro announced her resignation Monday afternoon, Kansas City Democratic Senator Paul LeVota said she did not do a good job of communicating with lawmakers.

LeVota said that is key for the next commissioner.

Actuality:	LEVOTA3.WAV
Run Time:	00:20
Description: "I hope they kind of get us back on track. Realize that as we evolve as a state, there's nothing more important than education and that's going to take someone who's going to work together with the legislature, and teachers, and parents, and administrators to try to do what we can to improve the lives of kids here in the state."

Nicastro's resignation is effective the first of next year.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Embattled Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro resigned Monday, but denies heavy criticism from St. Louis and Kansas City lawmakers influenced her decision.
RunTime:	0:36
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Nicastro admitted she could've done some things differently with the unaccredited Normandy and Kansas City public schools, but she says she's looking forward to the future.

She said the next commissioner has a tall task in front of them.

Actuality:	NICQUIT5.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "We've got to find a different way of helping and making school districts successful in some of our areas where they just haven't been."

Governor Jay Nixon released a statement Monday, saying Nicastro leaves the department with a legacy of helping students succeed.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.