The superintendent of the embattled East Ramapo Central School District announced his resignation Wednesday night during a special school board meeting.

Joel Klein said he will step down at the end of October. The crowd reacted with cheers and applause.

Critics have accused the school board and Klein of shortchanging East Ramapo's students while supporting private Jewish schools. They've been calling for his ouster for months.

An investigation by the state Education Department concluded the claims were accurate and a state monitor was recently appointed to watch over the school board.

Klein continued to defend his actions and the board a day after announcing his resignation.

"My feeling is all of us are here for the children," Klein told News 12 in an interview Thursday. "We really want the best. There is no vested interest, and anyone that can help is welcome."

Deborah Wortham will step in as interim superintendent until June 29. She previously served as superintendent of the school district in Roosevelt, which is on Long Island. That district has been under state control for more than a decade after spending years struggling with student performance and finances. She says she's ready to make changes.