LAUSD's facilities department chief James Sohn resigns

James Sohn, the embattled chief of Los Angeles Unified's facilities department, is resigning from his $220,000-a-year job, he said Tuesday.

Sohn, who was criticized for a shortage of inspectors and contracting irregularities in the district's massive construction program, will leave his post at the end of March. He has worked for Los Angeles Unified since 2002 and was promoted to head the facilities department in October 2009.

Sohn said his decision to resign was prompted by a job offer from a construction consulting company in the Bay Area. He said he could not discuss the job offer in detail because it was not finalized, but he said the company has no business with LAUSD.

"When I came here, my intention was always to stay for a period of time," Sohn said in an interview.

Sohn said he tried to resign in December, but Superintendent Ramon Cortines asked him to stay on board. He then decided to stay on until closer to the time of Cortines' retirement, which is scheduled for April 15.

In a letter to Cortines, Sohn said he was proud of the department's accomplishments.

"I'm happy to have had the opportunity to contribute to a truly world-class organization," Sohn wrote. "The Facilities Services Division has fulfilled bond program goals and significantly invested in maintenance and operation efforts while transforming itself into a more efficient division."

"We have consolidated and restructured departments,

implemented the design-build delivery model and resized the organization to a level that is sustainable for years to come."

Cortines also praised Sohn's work.

"Our building program has made amazing progress under James' guidance and I am grateful for his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in building, repairing and maintaining our schools. He has positioned the program well for his successor."

LAUSD's $20 billion school building program has successfully completed more than 80 new schools, alleviating overcrowding and removing campuses from year-round calendars.

However, the department has also been plagued by various problems over the years under multiple chief executives since the building program launched in 1997.

During Sohn's tenure, the problems included findings that some contracts were substantially exceeding the pre-approved amounts and sub-contractors were being hired in violation of district rules. This month, the state Division of Architects blasted the district for failing to provide enough certified construction inspectors and threatened to shut down 14 projects.

Sohn has also faced criticism in recent media reports for his previous role in overseeing the Los Angeles Community College District building and renovation program.

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