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After a closed-door, executive session lasting more than a hour Tuesday night, the Nampa School Board accepted the resignation of longtime superintendent Gary Larsen.

Larsen resigned Monday amid challenging financial times.  The school district recently admitted it miscalculated its budget and currently deals with a shortfall close to $3 million.

Larsen was the superintendent of Nampa Schools for 18 years.

Inside the Nampa School administrative offices Tuesday, the school board said it was saddened by Larsen's abrupt departure. Dale Wheeler, the vice chairman of the school board said the now former superintendent was "the fall guy" for this budget error. Wheeler admitted the shortfall could be greater than $3 million and said the school board plans to hire an independent auditor to review the district's finances.

A handful of parents and teachers attended the board meeting Tuesday. One parent told "On Your Side" she wishes the former superintendent would stay on and defends Mr. Larsen's record and his years of service to children and the Nampa community.

"It's a matter of having somebody who's pr oven himself over the years," Laurie Buckle said. "One issue, regardless of how big it seems at the moment, does not define all the things he has done or could do in the future to help our children."

In response to the shortfall, Nam pa Schools cut almost 40 full-time positions within the district only weeks before the school year began.

The school board will soon convene a committee of community members to help find an interim superintendent and then hire Larsen's permanent replacement.

Stay with the "On Your Side" team for continuing coverage of this story.