Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson has fired back over the State Board of Education's decision today empowering newly elected chairman of the board Bill Harrison to run schools on a day-to-day basis. It's interesting especially because a few weeks ago she stood on stage in apparent support of Gov. Bev Perdue's choice of Harrison for the job as part of the governor's plan to resolve questions over school authority.
Here's what Atkinson said today in a press release:
“I congratulate Dr. Bill Harrison for being elected as chair of the State Board of Education.
The State Board of Education also approved the establishment of a chief executive officer position with the authority to manage the day-to-day operations of the Department of Public Instruction and appointed Dr. Harrison to serve in that role. I believe this action violates the Constitution of North Carolina and usurps the will of the voters who granted me the privilege to serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I do not believe that the governance issue will be resolved until it is challenged in the judicial system or the Constitution is changed. I will not abdicate my constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
I remain committed to the 2.2 million voters who elected me and to the children and educators in this state.”
