While Tennesseans continue to speculate on who will become the next Commissioner of Education, one prominent name is apparently out of the running.

Shelby County Director of Schools Dorsey Hopson announced today he is resigning his post effective January 2019 to take a job with Cigna.

Here’s more from the school system’s press release:

Calling the last six years the “most rewarding years” of his career, Dorsey Hopson today announced that he will soon be ending his tenure as Shelby County Schools’ top educator.

“For the past six years, we have worked together to guide this great school district through monumental changes, including a merger, demerger, school closures and a state takeover of some schools,” said Hopson. “Through it all, our educators and supporters have remained committed to aggressively increasing student achievement.

Hopson will begin a job in the private sector in January 2019 saying it was an extremely difficult decision but one that will afford him more time with his family. In addition, he said he now looks forward to supporting Shelby County Schools as an involved parent and community member.

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