In a joint statement released after the vote, the school board thanked Deasy for his 3½ years of “devoted service.”
“In that period of time, academic achievement rose substantially despite severe economic hardships, and the students of the district have benefited greatly from Dr. Deasy’s guidance,” the statement read.
Deasy met with senior staff earlier in the morning to inform them of his plans. He then met with district legal staff to work out details of the transition. Deasy told the Los Angeles Times he could make no comment when he was reached by phone Thursday morning.
The vote to appoint Cortines was 7-0.