A new chapter began Monday for the embattled East Ramapo school district.

Deborah Wortham started her role as the interim school superintendent Monday, taking over for Joel Klein, who had been the superintendent for five years.

The first day on the job for Wortham consisted of a whirlwind tour of schools and facilities in the embattled district.

The Department of Education recently ruled that the district, which is run by a mostly Hasidic school board, gave preferential treatment to Jewish students at private schools, and left Spanish and Haitian ones to fall behind.

The district is currently under the supervision of state-appointed monitors.

Some parents are skeptical that a new superintendent will make any changes since the school board holds most of the power. Others say they are optimistic that things will change for the better.