Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee was among finalists to lead the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest public school district in the United States.
Ferebee withdrew his name from the running on Wednesday.
“Recently, I was announced as one of the finalists for the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent position,” Ferebee said in a statement. “After further discussing this endeavor with my family, the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners, and those handling the search process, I have withdrawn my name from consideration. It was an honor to have been considered for an opportunity of this magnitude.”
Ferebee became superintendent of Indianapolis Public School in 2013. During his time with IPS he raised the district’s graduation rate, formed partnerships with charter schools and reinvented IPS high schools by introducing new college and career tracks. However, he has faced criticism for shutting down three high schools, and for proposing a nearly $1 billion tax referendum.
Interim Los Angeles Superintendent Vivian Ekchian, Baltimore Superintendent Andres Alonso and former investment banker Austin Beutner are still in the running. Austin Beutner is the leading candidate, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools