Jesse Register says he will not seek a contract extension as director of schools of Metro Nashville Public Schools, ending silence on his future and paving the way for a closely watched search for his replacement.
Register, who has led Nashville's public schools since 2009, announced his decision to the Metro school board Tuesday night, less than a year before his contract with MNPS is set to expire after June 2015. He plans to fulfill the rest of that commitment.
"I feel like it's good to go ahead and say that I will not ask for a future contract, and look forward to working hard this year to get everything done," he said. "We've got a lot on the table."
His looming departure sets up a search for a new director that will have the attention of teachers, parents and a growing crowd of charter school advocates - as well as those vying to become the next mayor of Nashville.