PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh's new interim school superintendent is speaking out about his controversial past, cutting jobs and a school district vehicle that he's now driving to his home in Butler County.

Target 11 investigator Rick Earle recently sat down with Dr. Andrew King and asked him some tough questions.

King started as a teacher in the district in 1974. Thirty years later, he is now the top administrator on an interim basis right now. But his climb hasn't been without controversy.

King said, "I think they respect the fact that I came back, I worked hard, I was able to be promoted several times. I've demonstrated that I have the character to lead the district."

Six years after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct for having sex with a woman in a vehicle in the Hill District, King is now Pittsburgh's interim school superintendent; and he's wasted little time having a big impact.

Two weeks into the job, he slashed three top administrators and launched a re-organization.

He also reassigned the school police officer who had been responsible for chauffeuring the former superintendent. Last year, that officer made $27,000 in overtime.

"We want to make sure we look at the budget development process to make sure we're as cost-efficient as possible," King said.

While King is talking tough and making cuts, Target 11 discovered that he picked up a pretty nice perk -- the district's 2003 Lincoln Town Car executive sedan.

King said, "I'm not using the driver."
Earle asked, "But are you using the car?"
King said, "Yes, yes I will occasionally use the car."
Earle asked, "In the district or...?"
King said, "Only for district travel."

Only for district travel, right? Well, not exactly.

Target 11's undercover camera captured King leaving the district office one Friday evening and traveling through downtown, out Interstate 279 to I-79 and up to Cranberry. Before heading home, he stopped at a liquor store and then a restaurant to pick up carry out.

The very next Monday, King left the district office again and got into the Town Car and followed the same route. This time he didn't make any stops and pulled into his home in Cranberry -- about a 25-mile trip from his office in Oakland.

During the same interview, King later said he will occasionally take the car home. Although the district pays for gas, King said he will reimburse the district for his travel to and from home.

Earle asked, "But don't you think taxpayers may scratch their heads and say, 'Wow. I don't think that car should be leaving the district, going out of Allegheny County, out of the city district and going to Cranberry every day?'"
King said, "I don't think that will be a big issue. It won't be going every day. I think that will be a minor issue with the taxpayers because I am incurring the costs. It's not like I have a free car, a free car to drive at my own disposal."

Earle talked to several school board members and they said they don't have a problem with King taking the car to his home in Cranberry. In fact, they said that King initially wanted to get rid of the car, but board members persuaded him to keep it.

King also said that his top priority will be student achievement.

The school board will launch a nationwide search for a permanent superintendent. King said he hasn't decided if he will enter the search.