Kansas State Board of Education names finalists for commissioner of education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2026

Kansas State Board of Education names finalists for commissioner of education

TOPEKA - The Kansas State Board of Education has named three finalists for the position of Kansas commissioner of education following a national search conducted in partnership with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates.

The Board will announce the next commissioner during its April 14 meeting.

The new commissioner will succeed Dr. Randy Watson, who has served as Kansas commissioner of education since 2014. Watson announced his retirement in 2025.

"The Board appreciates the exceptional slate of candidates who pursued this opportunity," said State Board Chair Cathy Hopkins. "Each finalist brings diverse experience and a shared commitment to advance educational outcomes across Kansas."

Finalists for Kansas commissioner of education

Dr. Lisa Coons

Dr. Lisa Coons most recently served as state superintendent of public instruction for the Virginia Department of Education, where she led a statewide system serving more than 1.2 million students and oversaw a multibillion-dollar budget.

During her tenure, Coons led efforts to strengthen academic standards, redesign statewide assessments and implement a comprehensive accountability system focused on student growth, mastery and postsecondary readiness. She also launched major statewide initiatives focused on literacy, tutoring and attendance.

Previously, Coons served as chief academic officer for the Tennessee Department of Education, where she led nationally recognized literacy and tutoring initiatives. She holds a Doctor of Education degree and has extensive experience in state-level leadership and instructional improvement.

Dr. Reginald Eggleston

Dr. Reginald Eggleston serves as superintendent of Geary County Schools USD 475 in Kansas, where he oversees district operations and works closely with the board of education to guide long-range planning, academic programs and community partnerships. He began his career in education as a special education teacher and principal and has held multiple leadership roles supporting school improvement, federal programs and student services. He was recently named 2026 Kansas Superintendent of the Year.

Eggleston has extensive experience in district and state-level leadership, including prior roles with the Alabama State Department of Education, where he led intervention efforts to support underperforming schools and districts. His work has focused on improving student outcomes, strengthening school systems and building collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Additionally, Dr. Eggleston has 35 years of military experience including service in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He is currently a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and serves as the Commander of a Training Brigade.

Dr. Jake Steel

Dr. Jake Steel serves as director of strategy and operational alignment at the Kansas State Department of Education, where he advises agency leadership on statewide strategy, policy alignment and high-impact initiatives.

In his current role, Steel has led agencywide efforts to strengthen effectiveness and alignment, helped secure federal funding for Kansas schools, and expanded professional learning opportunities for educators. He previously served as a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Education and as a White House fellow on the Domestic Policy Council.

Steel began his career as a mathematics educator and holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Harvard University. A Kansas native and graduate of Garden City High School, he has focused his work on ensuring systems effectively support all students.

Next steps

Each finalist will participate in a final interview with the Kansas State Board of Education, followed by a meeting with agency leadership. Interviews are scheduled for March 31.

The Kansas State Board of Education will announce the next commissioner during its April 14 meeting.

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