State Board of Education Chair Bill Cobey
State Board of Education Chairman Bill Cobey will step down from the board after his final meeting as chair in September, Cobey confirmed for Policy Watch Thursday afternoon.
The news was reported on Twitter by Triangle reporters like The News & Observer‘s Keung Hui and confirmed in a text to Policy Watch.
Cobey said last month that he would not be seeking another term as board chair following the September meeting. He declined to say then whether he would be stepping down altogether.
The board chair submitted his letter of resignation Wednesday to Gov. Roy Cooper.
From the letter:
This letter is to inform you that I am resigning from the North Carolina State Board of Education at the conclusion of the Thursday, September 6 board meeting. The Board will be electing a new chairman at that meeting.
It has been an honor to serve with such an outstanding group of board members who have faithfully made their first priority the interest of our public school children. I will miss serving with them.
His resignation comes after more than a few breaks with GOP leadership in the N.C. General Assembly for Cobey, a former Congressman and chair of the state’s Republican Party.
Cobey has also clashed with Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, taking lawmakers and Johnson to court after a 2016 vote to grant more powers to the conservative superintendent.
Former state superintendent June Atkinson responded to the news on Twitter Thursday afternoon.
So sad that Chairman Bill Cobey is leaving the State Board of Education, effective 9/1. He has served NC educators & students in an exemplary manner by putting students first. What an honor & privilege to have worked with him.#nced #ncasa #nctoypoy
— June Atkinson (@DrJuneAtkinson) August 2, 2018
Cooper will be tasked with finding a replacement for Cobey, whose term on the board was set to expire next March.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.