EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- The superintendent of Emeryville's 800-student public school system resigned Wednesday after questions arose over whether he lied on his resume.

During the school board meeting Wednesday night, Emeryville residents seemed to be equally divided over whether 57-year-old Stephen Westley should be fired.

Westley was promoted from assistant superintendent to the top job in Emeryville schools a year and a half ago, based in part on his impressive resume.

Daniel Miranda, an Emeryville parent said, "The credentials are something that you're suppose to work hard at and to have it all be an illusion ... I have some concerns."

Westley reportedly had insisted upon being called "Doctor" Westley in the district because his resume said he holds a PH.D. as well as a Master's degree in theology and philosophy from the University of Chicago.

Westley also reportedly claimed he was a Harvard University fellow. Published reports say none of it is true.

School Board President Joshua Simon would not discuss the concerns in public. "That's a personnel issue and we'll deal with that in closed session as all personnel issues ought to be," he said.

Westley didn't attend the school board meeting where his fate was discussed. But several supporters spoke glowingly of how well the district has fared under his leadership.

Emeryville Mayor Ken Bukowski was one of them. "I'm just here to show my support for him," Bukowski said. "He may have made a few mistakes on his resume, but surely his experience is going to shine through. And I hope the board makes the right decision to stay with Steve Westley."

But some parents were angry with Westley and some students are disillusioned.

"I think it's bad because he works in an environment where people that he's telling to tell the truth but he didn't tell the truth," said student Donny Parks.

The school board wound up voting unanimously to accept Stephen Westley's resignation. The deputy superintendent was promoted on an interim basis.

Emeryville is a small district with only 800 students. It has faced challenges in the past including bankruptcy and a scandal involving a former superintendent who allegedly misappropriated district funds for personal use.