The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees this evening accepted the resignation of Superintendent Julie Thompson on a 7-1 vote.

Mike Salanik voted against the motion, which came following a closed session that began around 7. The board came back into open session around 9:15.

Salanik declined to comment on why he voted against the measure.

The board also approved Roanoke Rapids High School principal Tom Davis as the interim superintendent beginning December 1.

Thompson had no comment on the matter. In a statement, she said she was grateful to the staff, parents, and community “for their support of the RRGSD” during her time as superintendent.

The statement also says she “is very proud of the many student and staff accomplishments” and wishes the RRGSD “the very best moving forward.”

The school system said in a statement that Thompson “has decided to resign from the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District effective January 2 to pursue other educational opportunities.”

Board member Ed Liverman made the motion to accept the resignation agreement and Carol Dean cast the second.

Liverman then made the motion to hire Davis as interim superintendent and Phil Hux cast the second. That motion passed unanimously.

Board Chair Mike Williams said that in the absence of a superintendent the school district must have someone in an interim capacity who has the authority to sign documents and checks.

Thompson will go on administrative leave December 1, Williams said.

Asked what prompted the resignation, Williams said, “The document speaks for itself.”

Under the terms of the resignation and release, the board agreed to pay Thompson severance of $200,000, funds which will come exclusively from the system’s local unrestricted fund balance. She will receive a check for the net amount of the severance payment less required withholdings within 30 days of the effective resignation date.

Thompson, at her option, may be paid for accrued and unused annual leave days and any accrued longevity earned through the date of her resignation or may have her leave transferred to a new North Carolina public employer.

She will be reimbursed for her COBRA payments to maintain health coverage for herself and her family for up to 18 months after the effective date of her resignation. The board will make an initial payment of $1,488.04 within 15 days.

The agreement notes that the board and its members will not make any disparaging statements or comments about Thompson, and that she will not do the same.

The statement by the board says that Thompson served the RRGSD with distinction for over 17 years from August 2008 through her effective resignation date in January.

She advanced through multiple leadership roles — English teacher, assistant principal, executive director of instructional services, assistant superintendent, and ultimately superintendent. "Under Dr. Thompson’s leadership, the RRGSD successfully exited low-performing status following the COVID 19 pandemic, reflecting her strategic approach to instructional improvement and accountability.”

The statement says that she worked closely with local and county officials to secure a revised funding formula that resulted in increased capital outlay for the district, “ensuring sustainable support for facilities and resources. The board thanks Dr. Thompson for her many years of service to the school district and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.”