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Saturday, Jul 7, 2012 3:45 PM UTC

LA schools superintendent shakes up district

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Topics: From the Wires,

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles schools Superintendent John Deasy was faced with a shocking case of a teacher accused of playing classroom sex games with children.

Deasy’s response was another jolt: He removed the school’s entire staff — from custodians to the principal — to smash what he called a “culture of silence.”

The controversial decision underscores the superintendent’s shake-up of the nation’s second largest school district. His bold moves have rankled some and won praise from others during his first year of leadership.

Deasy has become known for 18-hour days that encompass everything from surprise classroom visits and picking up playground litter to lobbying city elite for donations and blasting politicians over funding cuts.

He’s also gained a reputation for outspokenness and a style some have criticized as heavy-handed.

Christina Hoag

More Christina Hoag.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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