LA Unified Board Extends Superintendent's Contract

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — The Los Angeles Unified School District board has extended Superintendent John Deasy's two-year contract by a year.

Board President Monica Garcia said Wednesday that Deasy has brought innovative and visionary leadership to the 650,000-student district, the nation's second largest.

Garcia notes that under Deasy's tenure, state test scores and graduation rates have increased, while suspension and dropout rates have decreased.

Deasy earns $330,000 a year. His salary will remain the same through June 2015.

The board approved the contract extension in a 6-0 vote with one member absent in a closed session Tuesday night.

A career educator who started as a high school science teacher, Deasy joined the district as deputy superintendent two years ago.

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