LOS ANGELES — John Deasy, the beleaguered superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, resigned Thursday after more than three years at the helm.
Ramon C. Cortines, who Deasy replaced three years ago after Cortines retired, was named interim superintendent of the country's second largest school district, and will start work Oct. 20.
Cortines served as interim superintendent in 2000 and then as superintendent from Jan. 1, 2009 to April 16, 2011. He also served as deputy mayor for education under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from 2006-08. Cortines' record was marred following his retirement when LAUSD settled a sexual harassment case against him for $200,000 in May 2012.
Cortines will serve until a replacement can be found, officials said. Deasy has agreed to remain on special assignment with the district until Dec. 31.
Deasy's resignation comes after months of controversy including questions into bidding practices that led to Apple iPads being selected for a billion-dollar Common Core Technology Project that was supposed to put electronic tablets into the hands of all of the district's 640,000 K-12 students several years. The district ended up canceling the contract while its inspector general investigates claims of malfeasance. The district's plan to issue bonds to pay for the program also raised the ire of some.
"While the district's investigation into the Common Core Technology Project has not concluded, the board wishes to state that at this time, it does not believe that the Superintendent engaged in any ethical violations or unlawful acts, and the board anticipates that the Inspector General's report will confirm this," LAUSD officials said in a statement.
Problems with the district's digital student data system also have come to a head in recent weeks. The new system failed to schedule students for classes, record attendance and input grades. Last week, a judge ordered state and local officials to find an immediate solution to class scheduling problems at Jefferson High School. The school board approved a $5 million plan to resolve the issues and purchase more computers for the new data system at its Tuesday meeting.
Deasy's aggressive management style put him at loggerheads with several school board members. The United Teachers of Los Angeles had called for his resignation, more than once.
In the statement, district officials said during Deasy's tenure that "academic achievement rose substantially despite severe economic hardships, and the students of the district have benefitted greatly from Dr. Deasy's guidance."
Deasy was not available for comment, but a lengthy resignation letter detailing his accomplishments at LAUSD was posted on the district's
In his letter to the board, he attributed the accomplishments to the district's board and staff.
Deasy said in the letter that he looks forward to the Inspector General completing his review, and that he looks forward "to his conclusion and findings that will determine that there were no missteps on my part in the process, whatsoever."
