Register to begin work as schools director Jan. 15

Nearly one year after the departure of Pedro Garcia, Nashville has a new director of schools.

Jesse Register of Chattanooga will take the helm of Metro Nashville Public Schools next week, on Jan. 15. His first official day at work will include a private meeting with Mayor Karl Dean — an appropriate beginning, considering the district governance questions that have dominated the politics of public education in recent months.

On Tuesday, Register said he’s eager to begin work. He’ll immediately start to “build connections” within the community, he said, including meetings with members of the media today and strategic planning with MNPS administrators for ways to immediately reach out to the district’s parents, teachers, principals, and public education support organizations. He’ll also be house-hunting.

Register was hired by way of a unanimous Board of Education vote Tuesday evening. That’s a good way to begin, Register said.

“I’m very excited about the unanimous vote of the board. I feel like that’s a great statement,” Register said Tuesday. “They’re pulling together, and that’s very encouraging. … I appreciate their confidence in me.”

Register’s contract includes a base salary of $250,000. The agreement is good for the next three years, but includes a clause providing 12 months severance pay in the event that the contract is terminated without cause by the school board or by another government entity. The contract was negotiated over the holidays between Register and school board Chair David Fox.

The unanimous hiring of Register was not a surprise to those who watch public education closely. Erick Huth, president of local teachers’ union the Metro Nashville Education Association (MNEA), has supported Register’s candidacy from the start and said Tuesday that he is pleased with the board’s decision. Marc Hill, chief education officer of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber is waiting to learn more about Register’s specific plans for Nashville.

“The school board has exercised its authority,” Hill said.

Dean, in a written statement, said he is “eager” to begin work with Register. All matters related to negotiations were handled exclusively by the board, Dean said, with no interventions from the Mayor’s Office.

“The negotiations with Dr. Register and the final terms were handled entirely by the Board. It was their decision to make,” Dean said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Register. I am eager to get started.”

Register will begin work just a few months before students take tests that will determine whether MNPS moves into Restructuring II status under federal No Child Left Behind Laws. The state Department of Education already has significant authority at MNPS, having restructured district central offices over the summer and retaining legal control over all district financial and personnel resources. But if MNPS moves to Restructuring II, the state could have authority to remove Register and individual school board members, and the option of appointing Dean as trustee of MNPS.

In the immediate future, MNPS faces mid-year budget cuts due to revenue shortfalls related to sales taxes. Register has already been brought into the loop on possible cuts.

Register will be expected to hit the ground running. Two days prior to his first official day of work and his meeting with Dean, Register will attend the school board’s Jan. 13 meeting, which will include a progress report from the state DOE and discussion of possible budget cuts.

Register among Metro’s highest paid employees

The salary approved for Register by the board is at the low end of what board members sought in negotiations. Register initially asked for base annual pay of $275,000, and the board asked Fox to bring that figure closer to $250,000.

Register said Tuesday that there were no “sticking points” in the talks.

“I didn’t want the contract negotiations to be controversial,” Register said. “We had very good, productive conversations, and I think it was evident that both sides wanted to come to a quick agreement.”

The salary of former Director of Schools Pedro Garcia was $218,000 at the time of Garcia’s resignation, plus a benefits package adding up to a total compensation worth about $250,000. Register has indicated that he does not plan to avail himself of most insurance benefits, and it has been estimated by search consultant Bill Attea that Register’s total package will cost the district about $10,000 more than the base salary level.

A salary of $250,000 would make Register one of Metro’s highest paid employees. According to information from Metro’s human resources department, Metro Health Department director William Paul earns $182,500, and Police Chief Ronal Serpas $173,427. Mayor Karl Dean earns a salary in the range of $140,000. The only Metro incomes in the same range as Register’s are the leaders of government franchise entities, including Nashville Electric Service and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority.

But Fox said Tuesday that Register’s salary is comparable to that in similar-sized cities — a $250,000 base salary is right in the midst of what is paid to superintendents in Memphis; Greensboro, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas; and Austin, Texas.

“This is a market-driven compensation level,” Fox said. “We’re getting someone who is a proven success. … I think this is a low-risk, high-return investment for our district.”

Since Garcia’s departure, Interim Director of Schools Chris Henson has received a monthly bonus of $7,500, compensating him for holding two district leadership positions simultaneously and adding up to an annual salary lower than Garcia’s pay for serving as director. Henson is the district’s financial chief, in addition to its current interim director.

On Tuesday, Henson was commended by the board for his work, and received a standing ovation from meeting observers. Henson has, throughout his year of district leadership, been popular with teachers and district staff, and been praised by school board members and leaders throughout the community. Henson has said that members of the district’s finance department have worked to fulfill some of the duties Henson was responsible for prior to his work as interim director.

Click here to see the actual contract.