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Superintendent Ramon Cortines attends his first LAUSD school board meeting after his predecessor, John Deasy, stepped down in October 2014.
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Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
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Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines reaffirmed Tuesday he will step down at the end of the year, opening up the top job at the nation's second largest school district.
Cortines and his predecessors strived to turn around a school system struggling to educate hundreds of thousands of students, many of whom speak English as a second language 0r live in poverty. The district's success has been incremental.
Cortines, 82, came out of retirement last October to serve temporarily after the resignation of former Superintendent John Deasy. Deasy left the district under pressure following the troubled iPad program, growing tension with the school board and teachers, and other issues.
Even before Cortines retires, the search for his successor is expected to get underway. It's anticipated to take several months as officials sift through executive resumes from urban districts around the country.
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In a statement Wednesday, board member Monica Ratliff praised Cortines for addressing major problems with the MiSiS student data system, among other accomplishments. She added: “I admire his announcement [to step down], because it makes it very clear that the board cannot continue to put off its duty of finding his successor.”
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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