LAKEVILLE — Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent of Schools Alan Strauss has resigned, citing "defamatory statements’’ made about his health by two School Committee members.

Strauss was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2023.

He said he has received “compassionate’’ response from most community members.

But he “did not anticipate’’ the “reaction from a small group of local elected and appointed officials, including two School Committee members, Carolina Hernandez and Crystal Ng and others in town government who have made defamatory statements about my health.’’

He said questions were raised about his decision to take family and medical leave and requests were made for him to seek second opinions regarding his illness. He said he faced a “toxic environment,’’ he said.

A financial settlement was reached with the Strauss and the School Committee, committee member Jennifer Blum said. 

Strauss stressed that this agreement does not release him from pursuing claims against towns or individuals. Details of the agreement were not publicly released. 

Blum said the district will seek a new superintendent. In the interim, Director of Curriculum and Assessment Teri Fleming, Director of Finance and Operations John Higgins and Director of Student Services Kelly Steele will fill the role.