Toronto District School Board chair Shaun Chen is stepping down from his post and taking a leave of absence as a trustee to run in the upcoming federal election.

Chen is the Liberal candidate in the new Toronto-area riding of Scarborough North.

Chen announced his resignation in a letter to the TDSB on Tuesday. In taking a leave from his job as trustee for Ward 21, Scarborough-Rouge River, he will not accept a salary, his letter states.

"Since becoming chair last year, it has been a pleasure and privilege to work with an incredibly dedicated Board of Trustees — champions of public education who are committed each and every day to serving our communities and advocating for our children and youth," Chen wrote.

Chen was elected TDSB chair just last December when he pledged to "restore transparency and accountability to the board."

In about six weeks on the job, Chen saw the release of a scathing review of TDSB governance that included a raft of accusations about a "culture of fear" at the board and in Toronto schools. Chen faced questions about how the TDSB would respond.

"We take the audit and review seriously. We will move forward with the directions," he said on Jan. 15.

Chen said in January that he told the school board of his intentions to run for the Liberals, but took the chairman role regardless.

TDSB vice-chair Sheila Cary-Meagher will serve as acting chair until trustees can select someone to permanently fill the role.