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Davenport superintendent says he’s become a liability

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October 29th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa school superintendent says he intends to resign this week, saying he’s failed to adequately address issues regarding minority students. Davenport Superintendent Art Tate also said Friday that he’d become a liability in the district’s dealings with the state. The district is under state supervision because a disproportionate number of minority students have been identified for special education and subject to disciplinary actions. Also, the Iowa Board of Education Examiners reprimanded Tate in August for intentionally overspending. He’s said was trying to make up for discrepancies in the state per-pupil funding.

Last week the district received unwelcome attention following a report that one of its elementary teachers wore blackface to a public Halloween party. In April Tate announced his intention to retire next June .