TN State Board of Education head Gary Nixon announces retirement

Gary Nixon, executive director of the Tennessee State Board of Education for the past 10 years, told board members Friday he is retiring at the end of this year.

The 66-year-old Nixon, a former principal, teacher and Smithville native who has led the state board’s office during major changes in education policy in Tennessee, said that the “decision has really been heavy on my heart,” but that after 44-plus years in education, it is time.

“Just remember: You’re the glue that holds together all the pieces of school improvement,” Nixon told the state board at the conclusion of Friday’s meeting. “Without you, we would be wandering up and down and left and right. Stay the course. Keep the pieces in place.”

The governor-appointed state board of education is tasked with finding Nixon’s replacement.

Board Chairman Fielding Rolston has appointed a search committee to lead that process. He said the board would post the open position and solicit applications through the end of August. The board would then likely bring back five or six applicants for formal interviews.

“He’s done a tremendous job,” Rolston said. “We believe we’ve made tremendous progress.”

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.