Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed says he will retired June 30th after almost 5 years on the job. The 63-year old Breed, who has been an educator in Nebraska for nearly 42 years, says he wants to spend more time with his family.

The State Board of Education named a three-board member search committee in announcing Breed’s retirement, with the committee to reveal next month how it will proceed with the search.

Breed  has said serving as commissioner was his “highest professional honor.” State Board President Patricia Timm calls Breed “a strong leader and advocate for the education of all Nebraska students,” with his influence “far-reaching in the areas of school improvement.”

Recently named the National Educational Administrator of the Year, Breed led the state Education Department through the implementation of statewide reading, mathematics and science tests.

He also worked with the Nebraska court system to address excessive absenteeism in public schools to improve attendance and student achievement.

Breed had been superintendent of the Elkhorn school district when appoint commissioner by Governor Dave Heineman, succeeding the retiring Doug Christensen in October 2008…a year after being named Superintendent of the Year by the Nebraska Council of School Administrators