Head of Oregon Department of Education, Rob Saxton, leaves for Northwest Regional ESD

Oregon Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton listens during a Jan. 21 Washington County Schools Legislative Forum. Saxton announced today he will resign his post to head the Northwest Regional Education Service District, which provides umbrella services to school districts in Clatsop, Washington, Columbia and Tillamook counties.

Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton, the head of education in the state of Oregon, announced Wednesday he will be stepping down.

"I was talking to my son and he mentioned that it may be time to quit working in the air traffic control tower and get into the cockpit," said Saxton.