Leland Leonard resigned as director of the Navajo Nation's education division but says his departure has nothing to do with problems at the tribe's Head Start program.

The Head Start program was forced to shut down after the federal government pulled funding. A review said the tribe failed to perform background checks on employees, some of whom had serious criminal records.

The program has since received a partial restoration of funds. But Leonard resigned on Tuesday, just before a Navajo Nation Council delegate introduced "no confidence" legislation against him. The bill failed by a 62-14 vote.

Get the Story:
Vote of no confidence for fomre Dine Education director fails at N.N. council (The Farmington Daily Times 7/20)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Head Start - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb

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