LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy resigns

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- After more than three years leading the nation's second-largest school district, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy has resigned, the district said Thursday.

Former LAUSD Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines has been appointed to serve as interim superintendent while a search is underway for a successor. Cortines, who has already served as LAUSD's chief twice, will begin on Monday.

Deasy is expected to remain on special assignment with the district until Dec. 31. His resignation comes after the LAUSD board discussed Deasy's performance review during a closed-door session two weeks ago.

Deasy has come under fire because of problems with MiSiS, a new student records system, and his billion-dollar iPad program.

The program was suspended after Deasy received criticism over his close ties to Apple and Pearson, the company that manages the educational content.

There were major problems with scheduling classes at Jefferson High School, and questions continue to swirl about when the district really knew about the child abuse inside Miramonte Elementary.

"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," the district said in a statement.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement praising Deasy for his leadership.

"Under his leadership, district graduation rates are up and achievement scores are higher, a legacy that he can be proud of bringing to the district," Garcetti said. "I look forward to working closely with the Board and with Ray Cortines, a steady hand and experienced leader who can continue to focus the district on its critical work."

Community Coalition, a community advocate group based out of South Los Angeles, saw in Deasy, their champion.

"In 2008, we had 75,000 students that were suspended in L.A. Unified School District, just last year that number was dropped to under 10,000 because of his willingness to partner with community organizations, so in many ways, you know, we are a little startled," said Alberto Retana, Executive Vice President at Community Coalition.

United Teachers Los Angeles in early September called for Deasy to be put on leave amid the iPad investigation.

UTLA is now calling for a transparent recruiting process for the next superintendent, saying the process was "deeply flawed" the last time around. They want teachers and parents to be able to have a voice in the search for the district's new leader.

"It is no secret that UTLA and Deasy have clashed during his tenure, but now is the time to look to the future. The process of hiring a permanent superintendent for the nation's second-largest district may be a lengthy one -- in the end it is important for the right person to be at the helm of LAUSD," the teachers' union said in a statement.