The chairman of the State Board of Education is leaving his post. Bill Cobey submitted his resignation to the Department of Public Instruction this afternoon.Cobey told WUNC that his resignation has nothing to do with an ongoing feud with the State Superintendent.
“I've been chairman for five and a half years, and I believe in leaving room for new leadership,” Cobey said. “It's time for me to go and let the new leadership take over.”
Two months ago, the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Superintendent Mark Johnson in a power struggle with the State Board. Last week, Johnson reorganized the Department of Public Instruction.
Cobey will resign in September, six months before his term was set to end.
“I think relationships are actually improving at this point in time between the Superintendent and the Board,” Cobey said.
Cobey is not endorsing any specific member of the board as his replacement chair. Governor Roy Cooper will appoint a new board member, who will be subject to approval by the General Assembly. The General Assembly did not confirm the Governor's previous two appointments to the Board.
