Steve Liss is stepping down as general counsel of Minneapolis Public Schools.

He is the second top official to step down after the resignation of superintendent Bernadeia Johnson. Michael Goar, the chief executive officer, took over as interim superintendent on Feb. 2.

In late January, the school district's lobbyist Jim Grathwol announced he was leaving to work for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

Liss will retire in mid-April after working as the lead attorney since July 2011. Liss also served as the district's chief operating officer from 2006 to 2011.

"I feel blessed to have served the children of Minneapolis for nine years with an amazing group of talented, dedicated professionals at all levels of the organization," Liss said. "I know that every employee who works for Minneapolis Public Schools is committed to the success of our students."

Before joining the school district, Liss was an assistant attorney general for 16 years.