Note: This story was first published on Jan. 25, 2018 and has been updated to include a statement from the school district.

Portland Public Schools' chief financial officer has quit after only five months on the job.

Mei Lee resigned on Jan. 17, as first reported by The Portland Tribune.

"I appreciate the opportunities I have been given during my time with PPS," she wrote in her resignation letter. "I wish you and PPS the best in the future."

The letter states her last day will be March 17 and that she will be available to help with a transition plan. Her abrupt departure comes just before the district's budget season.

"Superintendent Guerrero is responding quickly to this leadership transition," said district spokesman Dave Northfield in a statement. "He is focused on hiring an interim chief financial officer soon to begin work on the budget for next year. The superintendent is also exploring options on bringing in other reinforcements to help shape the department's work moving forward."

Lee wasn't one of Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero's hires. She took over Portland Public Schools' finances in August. Guerrero started in October. Northfield said Lee was not asked to resign.

Oregon's largest school district has been in turmoil for some time now. Many top officials left last school year in the wake of a lead in drinking water scandal that revealed not just environmental dangers but a culture of unaccountability.

A recent audit found the district failed to properly track millions of dollars.

Lee came to the district at a particularly awkward moment. The same month she started, it became public that the interim superintendent was under investigation for a relationship with an employee in Lee's department.

— Bethany Barnes



Got a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email Bethany: Bbarnes@oregonian.com