The Philadelphia School District is losing two more top leaders, including its deputy superintendent

The Philadelphia School District has been hit with more leadership blows as Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.’s last remaining deputy and his human-resources chief have resigned.

ShaVon Savage, the well-respected deputy superintendent for academic services, is leaving the district near the end of the school year, and Larisa Shambaugh, chief talent officer, is leaving in April, officials confirmed to The Inquirer.

Savage, who is trained both as a lawyer and educator, is also a former Philadelphia principal and head of the district’s specialized services division.

The news of her departure came just five months into Savage’s appointment. Officials did not offer a reason for either departure, or say what their next jobs will be. They were unavailable for comment.

“Ms. Savage continues to be a valuable asset to the district,” spokesperson Monique Braxton said in a statement. “In preparation for her transition, we have launched a national search with the goal of hiring a new Deputy Superintendent for Academic Services to align with her departure from the district in May.”

Shambaugh has worked for the school system for nearly four years; on her watch, the district negotiated several labor contracts and launched a program that gives paraprofessionals a pathway to teaching.

“Dr. Watlington wishes to thank her for her dedication to the district,” Watlington said. “She’s been an asset and will be greatly missed.”

A search for her replacement will also be launched, said Braxton, who noted that “we’re transitioning to a new administration, and as that occurs, some personnel depart for other opportunities.”

The school system is already operating without two key chiefs: Uri Monson, deputy superintendent of operations, left in January to become Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget director, and Reggie McNeil, chief operating officer, was tapped by Shapiro to become secretary of general services.

Monson’s position has not yet been filled, and Oz Hill, McNeil’s deputy, is serving as interim deputy chief operating officer.

The tumult among top leaders comes at a tough time for Watlington as he deals with significant and growing environmental issues, tension with City Council, and gun violence that has seen 17 district students killed so far this school year — all less than a year into his job as superintendent.