Langton turned in his resignation March 31. His last day on the job was Friday, said Daniel Flores, the center's board president. The center publicly announced it Tuesday afternoon.

Flores called Langton's resignation a surprise, saying he was not prepared for it.

"I want to be clear: The board did not ask him to resign, but this was his decision," Flores said Tuesday.

When Langton was hired a year ago, Utah Latino leaders questioned why one of the state's well-known agencies had picked an Anglo from Alaska with Utah ties. Still, the center's then eight-member board had "hands down, unanimously" voted for Langton.

Langton missed Alaska and wanted to return to the public school system, Flores said.

"I have to respect his decision," Flores said. "He had to do what was best for him and his family."

Langton, who is out of town, could not be reached for comment.

Flores and Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who was named as the interim CEO, said they don't think Langton's short term will reflect poorly on the center based in South Salt Lake.

"We're fine. This will not affect the agency's capability to implement its programs," Flores said.

The cenÂter, started 31 years ago, has an $8.5 million budget, made up mostly from federal grants, Chavez-Houck said. Some 90 percent of the center's money is spent on the Head Start program at five sites statewide, she said. At times, the center employs 280 people.

Flores said the center's 12-member board is meeting this week to discuss a search plan for the next CEO. He said there is a "fresh roster of résumés" on hand from the last search, but the center still has to put on a new search. The salary for the next CEO is between $85,000 and $100,000 a year, Flores said.

Chavez-Houck said the center is experiencing some growing pains. But she believes the changes are healthy.

jsanchez@sltrib.com