SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Johnston County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Causby is stepping down from his position.

• Dr. Jim Causby resigned, effective immediately, Friday from his position as interim superintendent for JCPS
• Brian Vetrano will serve as the acting superintendent for JCPS, effective January 10, 2020

Though he was expected to remain with the school system through June 30, 2020, Causby announced his resignation, effective immediately, on Friday, January 10.

Causby released the following statement to students and staff regarding his decision:

"It is with great regret that I announce my resignation as Interim Superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools. I have not taken this decision lightly, and I continue to love the students, staff, and citizens of Johnston County. My long history in the school system has been one of the highlights of my career.

"As I prepared for my arrival, I was informed that there were major budget needs, low morale, and the need to return to a sense of normalcy for the students and staff of the system. During my time in Johnston County Public Schools, I have aggressively worked to address these issues and was fully capable of bringing these issues to resolution.

"The role of the Superintendent is to operate and make decisions regarding the needs of the school system. The role of the local Board of Education is to establish and adopt policies, budgets, and to oversee the governance of the system. When I agreed to return to Johnston County Public Schools during this time of transition, I was clear that I needed to make decisions and oversee the daily operations of the school system, which was agreeable to the Board.

"However, I also discussed with the Board of Education of Johnston County Public Schools that at any time I believed the Board or individual Board members would not allow me to effectively perform my job as Superintendent, that I would no longer agree to continue in this role. I believe that there are members of the Board who have fully supported me and I appreciate them. However, there are roadblocks and interference by others on the board which have impeded my ability to effectively fulfil my role as Superintendent. Thank you to Chairman Mr. Todd Sutton, Vice Chair Dr. Peggy Smith, Mr. Mike Wooten, Mrs. Terri Sessoms, and Mrs. Tracie Zukowski who provided me with their full support during this time as I returned to Johnston County Public Schools. My integrity, honesty, and skills as a leader are important and crucial to me, and it is extremely concerning when those are questioned without merit.

"I would like to thank the staff and administrators of Johnston County Public Schools who I know work tirelessly each day for our students. The students should be our focus, and I am hopeful that the Board of Education can begin to focus on the students, current needs, and to move beyond the past to find a replacement who can provide stability to the school system."

"It is with deep sadness that I accept the resignation of Dr. Jim Causby, Interim Superintendent. While this is a difficult time for Johnston County Public Schools, we ask for your support of the school system and our Board of Education as we take the necessary steps to move the school system forward," Todd Sutton, Johnston County Board of Education Chairman, said in a statement Friday. "I would like to thank Dr. Jim Causby for his tireless efforts to assist Johnston County Public Schools."

Sutton says Brian Vetrano will serve as the acting superintendent for JCPS, effective January 10, 2020, as they continue their search for a permanent replacement.