NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : School Board Fires Its Superintendent

The school board in the nation’s capital fired Supt. Andrew Jenkins, citing his handling of the troubled school system. The board voted to place Jenkins on 30 days administrative leave with pay and terminate his contract on Dec. 30. Vice Supt. William Brown was named acting superintendent. The superintendent narrowly escaped firing in July, when the board decided to keep him on until his contract expired at the end of this school year. The school system has been plagued by one of the highest dropout rates in the nation, a declining enrollment and a shortage of funds.