(a) The state board shall appoint a commissioner of education as is provided by section 4 of article 6 of the constitution. The commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of the state board and perform such duties as are prescribed by law or by the state board.

(b) The state board may appoint a person to be the acting commissioner of education in any interim in which the office of commissioner of education is vacant, and such appointment may be made conditional upon any future vacancy occurring. Any appointment made under this subsection (b) shall be subject to review and change by the state board at its first meeting after any such vacancy occurs.