Kansas soon will be looking for a new state education commissioner.

Randy Watson has announced that he intends retire from his role as Kansas Education Commissioner, which is the chief executive for the elected Kansas State Board of Education that oversees public K-12 schools in the state.

Watson said he would remain in the position until the board names a successor, according to a Wednesday press release from the Kansas State Department of Education.

“For 10 years, it’s been my pleasure to serve the board,” Watson said after the meeting. “They’ve done remarkable work and have had many accomplishments over that time. I’m proud to have been a small part of that.”

Watson was named as the state’s education commissioner in Nov. 2014, after having served as superintendent for the McPherson public school district.

The board voted to accept Watson’s notice of retirement, but announced no firm plans for the search or when a new commissioner would be in place.