By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Today is Cleveland Hammonds' last day St. Louis schools superintendent. He's retiring and says he's proud of his tenure.
During his time, Hammonds oversaw the nation's largest school desegregation plan and the dropout rate fell by 13%.
The district's big budget deficit and attempt to gain accreditation from the state are now for interim superintendent William Roberti to address. Roberti heads a so-called turnaround firm that's usually hired to improve ailing businesses.
Hammonds says he doubts whether an interim superintendent who focuses almost solely on the district's business aspects can improve student achievement.