Ohio's public schools superintendent says he plans to retire at the end of the year.
In a written statement Friday morning, Superintendent Richard Ross announced his plans to step down Dec. 31. The 65-year-old Ross has served as state superintendent since March 2013. He was previously an education adviser to Gov. John Kasich.
In the statement, Ross says he's enjoyed putting his 40 years of experience to use to strengthen education in Ohio.
The move comes as the state Education Department's oversight of charter schools has recently come under fire.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education restricted the initial flow of a $71 million charter school grant, pending further assurances that Ohio can responsibly oversee the money amid an investigation into the state's former school choice director.