The Portland school board on Friday accepted the resignation of the superintendent over issues related to payroll.

Portland Public Schools says superintendent Xavier Botana offered his resignation at a district board meeting on Friday. That resignation is effective Jan. 31st, or the starting date of an interim superintendent, whichever comes first.

Payroll problems in recent weeks have resulted in hundreds of employees being paid incorrectly, late, or not at all.

In a letter sent to staff on Friday, Botana said he believes his resignation is in the district’s best interest, allowing “new leadership to bring closure to these matters.”

Botana was initially prepared to end his tenure in June.