"Los Angeles schools superintendent resigns" by Tami Abdollah | Associated Press October 17, 2014
LOS ANGELES — Superintendent John Deasy resigned as head of the second-largest US school system after failing to overcome technological problems, clashing with the teachers union, and losing allies on the Los Angeles school board.
The resignation was announced Thursday in a joint statement by Deasy and the board. Former superintendent Ramon C. Cortines will return to lead the schools for the third time Oct. 20 while officials search for a successor.
Deasy, 53, led the district for more than three years and was praised for improving student performance. Under him, the district had higher test scores, improved attendance, and better graduation rates.
However, a $1 billion plan to give each student an iPad was fraught with problems, and Deasy’s communications with vendors were investigated. In addition, the district’s new computerized scheduling system left students languishing in useless classes or without courses needed to graduate.
Deasy had a rocky relationship with the teachers union and school board, where he lost a number of allies after the 2013 election. He was also criticized for a brusque leadership style. Deasy did not respond to a request for comment.
Early in his tenure, he removed 130 teachers from Miramonte Elementary School after teacher Mark Berndt was charged with lewd acts on children. The teachers were placed at an unopened empty campus while an investigation ensued. The unusual move strained his relationship with the United Teachers of Los Angeles.
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It was further stressed by his support of a lawsuit intended to undo teacher tenure protections in the state. A judge ruled that the protections are unconstitutional and discriminate against minority and low-income students.
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Deasy also sought to measure the performance of teachers and supported legislation to make teacher dismissal easier.
United Teachers Los Angeles said in a statement marked with an exclamation mark that Deasy’s departure was ‘‘an opportunity to move in the direction of fully funded schools and collaborative management, instead of treating school improvement as a ‘corporate turnaround’ model, over-emphasizing testing, undermining equity and access for students, and attacking educators.’’
However, education advocates lauded Deasy for his efforts to bring reforms.
Students Matter, a nonprofit that filed the tenure lawsuit, said Deasy showed a tireless commitment to education equality.
‘‘For all his successes, Dr. Deasy has been met with an ever-challenging and dysfunctional political environment,’’ the group said, adding that he was driven from his post in part because he advocated for significant changes to California education policies.
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