By LIZ SCHLEMMER on www.wunc.org
Tension between State Superintendent Mark Johnson and the State Board of Education has not improved since the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in a case between the two. If anything, the tension is rising.
In early June, the Supreme Court gave its decision in a case to settle a power struggle between the State Board of Education (led by Republican Chair Bill Cobey) and Superintendent Johnson (also a Republican). The Court sided with Johnson and the state of North Carolina in declaring a law that gave his position more direct control at the Department of Public Instruction constitutional. However, the effect of that ruling remains unclear. The ruling also restated – as it says in the North Carolina Constitution – that the State Superintendent is the secretary and chief executive administrator of the Board which has primary authority to administer the public schools in accordance with law: READ MORE
State Board of Education Determined to Ignore Legislative & Judicial Branches of NC Government
NCSBE Also Seeks to Ruin 4th of July Vacation for Education Reporters
Lindsey Wakely, chief of staff and legal counsel to N.C. Superintendent Mark Johnson, released the following statement regarding a letter released to the media today by N.C. State Board of Education Chairman Bill Cobey.
“The Supreme Court of North Carolina unanimously and clearly ruled against Chairman Bill Cobey’s lawsuit. Despite losing his lawsuit, Chairman Cobey appears determined to ignore the will of both the General Assembly and the Supreme Court of North Carolina and continue to waste taxpayer dollars on his frivolous lawsuit. The state of North Carolina and Mark Johnson won. Cobey lost. Mark Johnson will manage the N.C. Department of Public Instruction with the full authorities granted to the superintendent per House Bill 17.”
Background Information
Reporters seeking clarity from the counsel for the superintendent may contact Hardy Lewis or Philip Isley, of the law firm of Blanchard, Miller, Lewis, & Isley, at 919-747-8107.
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