Citing unethical behavior by Clayton County school board members, the attorney hired to help the district keep its accreditation resigned Thursday, and the board chairman said he will step down within days.

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Both questioned the way the board hired a temporary superintendent, who state and accreditation officials said is not qualified.

"I resigned because of the school board's deceptive and unethical behavior," attorney Glenn Brock said Thursday. "If they are not going to follow my advice, as they have shown through a continuing pattern of actions, I cannot feel confident they will be able to avoid losing accreditation."

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools gave Clayton until Sept. 1 to meet nine mandates or lose accreditation. Having an effective school board is one of the mandates.

School board Chairman Eddie White said he decided to step down this week after finding a defamatory letter on his desk at the board meeting Wednesday. The unsigned letter, drafted by a board member, accused White of engaging in sexual conduct with a member of the school administration, he said Thursday.

"I do not approve of such conduct. It was very, very inappropriate for that to occur," White said. "It is untrue and negatively impacting my family. I was of the opinion we could meet the nine recommendations, but behavior like that from last night will not help us."

White said he also was disappointed by the reception Brock received.

Brock was hired in December to help guide the board through that process.

On Wednesday, the board voted to follow Brock's advice, which included following state laws and being transparent to the public.

About two hours later, the board voted 5-1 to "bring in" John W. Thompson as temporary superintendent. However, the board did not publicly vote on a contract or salary.

The decision also was made without the knowledge of the board chair or two other board members, Brock said.

"Unfortunately, this is part of a continuing pattern where the board takes actions without even attempting to follow the law," said Thomas Clyde, an attorney for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"To appoint a new superintendent, the board would have had to provide the name and other information about the candidate 14 days prior to the meeting where the appointment is made. The only thing the public was told about Mr. Thompson prior to his appointment was that he had withdrawn from consideration," Clyde said.

Board attorney Dorsey Hopson said the board "did not do anything illegal or unethical."

Thompson had withdrawn last month because he thought the climate was too political and "a mess."

On Thursday, Thompson changed his mind and agreed to oversee Clayton schools for the next 14 months, said Thompson's attorney, Richard Schwartz.

"I changed my mind because they have good people in the school district," Thompson said. "If the kids need me, I am here."

Thompson, who was publicly introduced as superintendent Thursday, declined to answer questions about what he will do to hold on to accreditation, saying only that he would strive to ensure every student receives a "world-class education."

"By taking on this challenge, I am accepting responsibility to do everything I can," Thompson said. "I do not yet know whether we will lose accreditation or if it can be prevented."

He promised the district will have a "properly functioning board" but refused to say how that will be accomplished.

SACS' president and chief executive officer, Mark A. Elgart, along with two liaisons appointed by the governor to help Clayton have said Thompson was not qualified.

"We have serious reservations about [Thompson and another finalist's] ability to retain the district's accreditation," Elgart said last month.

Elgart declined to comment Thursday.

Thompson and the board refused to talk about the new superintendent's salary or benefits, but Thompson's attorney said the superintendent will be paid $285,000 and receive a car.

"The contract is not signed, and I have not been privy to that [my salary]," Thompson said.

Thompson initially requested a $275,000 salary, 24-hour access to a car and driver, 24-hour security and $2 million for consultants. It's unclear whether he will have a consultant budget.

"His demands are appalling," said Winnie Thomas, whose daughter is a junior at Lovejoy High School. "The fact that Mr. Elgart from SACS and the governor's liaisons disapproved is alarming. For a board to pass an offer to this man is ridiculous. In what world do they live?"

Thompson will start Monday.

Thompson, of Greensboro, N.C., is an independent educational consultant. He has served as superintendent in Tulsa and Pittsburgh. When Thompson was superintendent in Pittsburgh in 2005, the system declined to renew his contract after complaints about his blunt, authoritative demeanor and spending practices.