Gardena High School's principal, who is credited with helping to reduce racial tensions and the school's high dropout rate, is leaving his job.
Russ Thompson, 51, has accepted a promotion as a regional administrator and will leave when the local superintendent finds a replacement.
Thompson will head to the Los Angeles Unified School District's Local District 7 to oversee a variety of high schools, possibly including Locke, Jordan, Fremont or Manual Arts.
During his tenure at Gardena High, after replacing David Almada in the fall of 2004, Thompson's firm hand helped calm the school, colleagues and police said.
"I feel like the school has become much more stable," Thompson said. "We have a very good learning atmosphere at the school. Students are doing a great job of getting to class on time and working hard in their classes."
Read Paul's full report here.
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