As of 5 p.m. today, Dr. Martin Cox will no longer be the superintendent at Clarkstown Central School. In a statement, Cox said he was resigning for “personal reasons.”

The school board very quickly voted 5 to 1 Tuesday night in support of his resignation without ever explaining to the community why he is leaving.

Sources tell News 12 they're allowing Cox to resign instead of firing him, but never said why they would want to let him go.

From what News 12 has been told, the community and the board lost faith in him in recent months.

He was seen as anti-justice and anti-police for his delayed response to a controversial presentation done by a student about the Black Lives Matter movement.

Parents were also critical of his decision to enforce a mask mandate for students and staff this year before the CDC and state Health Department did.

Parents got so outraged at a meeting that they had to end it after just 15 minutes, with parents yelling and refusing to wear masks.

Some parents applauded Tuesday night when they heard the announcement of his departure, although some did appreciate his work for their kids.

Some parents tell News 12 many disagreed with Cox's COVID-19 and mask mandates and that there was concern over talk of bringing critical race theory into the school's curriculum as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies. "I don't think Marty Cox really was connected to the soul of the community and in being disconnected that turned a lot of people off to him and his policies," says Joe Solari, parent.

Parents who spoke with News 12 say they prefer to see this change now rather than mid-year. "Are you concerned about it at all? No not at all, I'm sure somebody will step forward that's really good," says Carol Klecar, parent.

Cox released a statement saying, "I wish our students the very best with all their educational endeavors, both now and in the future. In addition, I am thankful for our teachers, staff, and administrators, whose daily efforts make a positive impact for students."

The school board released a statement thanking Dr. Cox for his service and informing parents that Jeff Sobel, assistant superintendent for personnel, will be the interim superintendent until a new one is appointed.