The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education this evening unanimously accepted the resignation of Superintendent Dain Butler.

The decision to accept his resignation came after a slightly more than 45-minute closed session.

Board Chair Jay Carlisle said Butler submitted his resignation effective September 30 and that the board has accepted it.

“The board and Dr. Butler have reached an agreement to provide for the orderly and amicable transition from his services as superintendent,” Carlisle said.

The school system will pay Butler a severance of $152,680.77 plus reimbursement of his COBRA health coverage for up to 18 months.

“The board wishes Dr. Butler all the best in his future endeavors,” Carlisle said. “The board is committed to continue the progress of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District and will begin the important work of identifying a new leader.”

Since Butler has been on paid leave, a resolution was passed this evening assigning the duties of superintendent to Assistant Superintendent Juliana Thompson through September 30.

The board also approved Thompson as the interim superintendent.

Butler was sworn in as superintendent in July of 2016.

Before coming to Roanoke Rapids, Butler had a nearly 17-year career in public education and had served as executive director for school administration in the Alamance-Burlington School District, a position he had held for the last four years before being hired in Roanoke Rapids.

Butler also served as director of school improvement and accountability from 2008 to 2012. He began his educational career in Alamance-Burlington Schools as a middle school teacher before moving up to an assistant principal and ultimately a principal position at local elementary schools.