School Laws
The School Law section provides legal counsel to the staff of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The section consists of the general counsel, the assistant general counsel and a legal assistant.
The general counsel serves as counsel for the Commissioner and the State Board of Education; as a liaison to other state and federal agencies; and as an advisor on legislative issues, contracts and grants, and internal audits.
The assistant general counsel is responsible for the review of charter school applications and legal issues relating to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB); and also serves as liaison to the legal counsel for education related associations.
The School Law staff also works with the Educator Certification section and the Missouri Attorney General’s office to conduct hearings which may result in the revocation of the certificates of Missouri educators who are charged with misconduct.
Contact Information
Mark Allan VanZandt
General Counsel
Email: counsel@dese.mo.gov
Shelley Kiesling
Legal Assistant
Email: counsel@dese.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-3527
Fax: 573-751-8613
Mailing Address:
Office of General Counsel and Governmental Affairs
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
P.O. Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
Street Address:
6th Floor, Jefferson Building
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101