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S.D. School Superintendent: Quibbles Not Sole Reason For Quitting

San Diego Superintendent Carl Cohn is laying some speculation to rest about his contentious relationship with the school board. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

S.D. School Superintendent: Quibbles Not Sole Reason For Quitting

San Diego Superintendent Carl Cohn is laying some speculation to rest about his contentious relationship with the school board. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Cohn says his relationship with some school board members was rocky at times, but that wasn't the only reason why he's quitting. The superintendent announced yesterday that he's leaving the district in December. School board members pointed fingers at one another, saying their oversight prevented Cohn from carrying out his work.

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The superintendent made the trustees agree to a no meddling clause before he took the job. Even so, Cohn says conflicts over who determines the direction of a district is part of the job.

Cohn : That issue of governance, it goes with any superintendency in America -- including urban, suburban, and rural. And anybody who goes into a superintendency thinking those issues aren't going to come up are naïve.

Cohn says he's leaving early because two years is good enough. He says he wanted to step down earlier, but also wanted to make sure this school year got off to a good start. Cohn believes he's laid a solid foundation for his reforms to flourish.

San Diego's teachers union president says his departure is a big loss for the district.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.