Principal of Los Angeles school resigns following racial brawls

Associated Press:

The principal of Jefferson High School will step down following criticism by the new mayor and other officials over a series of student brawls that some blamed on racial tensions.

Norm Morrow agreed Tuesday to resign effective July 1, six months before he planned to retire, said Rowena Lagrosa, a local superintendent in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Until his departure, Morrow will work in another position that has yet to be determined, Lagrosa said.

Last Thursday, more than 20 students scuffled — the third school fight at the school in six weeks. On several occasions, school police used pepper spray and batons to stop the fighting. More than two dozen students were suspended.

School Police Chief Alan Kerstein has said there were "racial overtones" to the fights at Jefferson and other schools in the district this year.

On Tuesday, Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said he felt "things are out of control" at the school in South Los Angeles, a mainly black and Hispanic area that has been plagued by crime and poverty.

School Superintendent Roy Romer said two assistant principals were hired Tuesday at Jefferson to fill positions that had been vacant for about a month.

The district also assigned more school police to patrol the campus and surrounding area.

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