Dr. Jason Steliga Announces Departure from the PSRS/PEERS Board of Trustees

At the August 26, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting, Board Chair Dr. Jason Steliga announced that he will step down from his seat on the Board effective October 15, 2024. During his time on the Board, Dr. Steliga has proven himself to be a strong, positive voice for public education, PSRS/PEERS and the Systems’ members.

He has been named the new executive director of the Kansas City Public School Retirement System (KCPSRS). KCPSRS is a Defined Benefit (DB) pension plan that serves the employees of the Kansas City, Missouri School District, Kansas City Public Library and charter schools within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Missouri School District.

Upon his departure, Vice Chair Beth Knes will take over the role of chair.

Dr. Steliga joined the Board of Trustees in October 2015, as an elected member of PSRS and was re-elected to serve additional terms starting July 1, 2018 and July 1, 2022. He currently serves as Board chair, a position he has held since July 1, 2021, and sits on the Budget and Audit Committee. He has also represented the Systems as a delegate to the National Council on Teacher Retirement's (NCTR) Annual Conference.

With more than 20 years of classroom experience, Dr. Steliga most recently taught accelerated and general chemistry at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Missouri. Prior to that, he taught at Center High School.

He also served in leadership positions with the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) and was a past delegate to the National Education Association (NEA) Convention.

“The ability to serve the membership of PSRS/PEERS has been one of the highest honors of my life,” Steliga said.  “The trust that the membership has placed with me over the years to work with my fellow Board members and staff to bring forth decisions that best enhance the retirement security of the Systems has meant so much to me.  Although I am saddened to not finish my term, I am excited to take the experience of serving as a trustee, and the knowledge I have gained from some of the best professionals in the pension industry, with me to the staff and membership of KCPSRS. 

“Jason has been an outstanding trustee and has served our members with great passion during his time on the Board,” said PSRS/PEERS Executive Director Dearld Snider. “From day one, he has been one hundred percent dedicated to maintaining the health and stability of the Retirement Systems, and protecting the retirement security we provide for Missouri’s public school educators and staff. We sincerely thank Dr. Steliga for sharing his time, insight and leadership over the last nine years as a committed and trusted member of our Board. We wish him the very best in his new position.”