NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro Schools Director Jesse Register has announced he’s retiring.
Register has led the school system of 85,000 children for more than six years.
He has outlived the life expectancy of an urban school superintendent. Register pointed that out in one of his last interviews.
In a sit down interview he evaluated his own performance. There is one moment Register is very proud of.
WEB EXTRA: View Dr. Register's Full Interview Here
President Barack Obama following a state of the union address chose McGavock High School to highlight the district's improved high school graduation rate.
One of Register's first actions as director of schools was to remove the McGavock administration.
“It was a school in crisis and to think about the President picking McGavock High School to highlight about best practice in this country for about where we need to go in this country in public education is a real high," Register said.
Register has been at the helm in Nashville for more than six years.
He's very proud of Metro's early childhood and pre-k programs.
Register helped land a multi-million dollar grant and formed a partnership with Vanderbilt to improve early childhood education.
It's one of the ways he said he helped change the culture of the school system.
"We've gone from being a system at a stage of state takeover, not much confidence in the community, to an achieving school system,” Register said. “We'll be achieving again this year when the test data comes out. It will be four years in a row."
There have been plenty of battles over the years.
Charter schools were an issue that split the community.
"I don't know that I could affect this, but I regret the polarization,” Register said. “Where I am is in the middle of the road. I haven't varied much. I think charter schools have a place if they're good. I think we need to deal with them effectively if they're not good."
Then there's the future and some advice for the next director of schools.
Register said, "What's the vision for the district? What do you want the district to look like? A focus on what's good for children. Not focusing on adult issues. Focusing on what's good for children is what's important."
Register may be retiring, but he's not going anywhere. He said he loves Nashville. He's staying here and looking for other opportunities.
Register's last day was set for June 30.
