Johnston County Schools Coverage

Months-long bridge closure impacts 11 Johnston County schools

A contractor for the state highway department will replace the bridge, built in the 1970s, near Prestwood Lane with a wider, two-lane span.

WRAL staff

Johnston school board member to face GOP primary challenge after legislative change

Embattled Johnston County school board member Ronald Johnson will face a GOP primary challenger in March after state legislators changed the law to make a direct challenge by another Republican easier.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Latino organization asking Johnston County Public Schools to do more to address fighting

There have been several fights in recent months involving Latino students at Smithfield-Selma High School in Smithfield. The community organization Latinos Activate is demanding action to address the issue and prevent further escalation.

Volunteer group calls for solutions after fights involving Latino students at Johnston County high school

There have been several fights in recent months involving Latino students at Smithfield-Selma High School in Smithfield. The community organization Latinos Activate is demanding action to address the issue and prevent further escalation.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

Johnston County school board members scream, accuse, sue

Tempers flared Monday at a Johnston County Board of Education meeting, where screaming, yelling and heated discussions were heard over a lawsuit filed by a current board member.

New weapon detection systems in place at all Johnston County Public Schools for 2023-24 school year

The district has invested $6 million to install the Evolv systems in all 48 schools.

Johnston County Public Schools' new $6 million weapons detection systems get installed at each school in the district

The district has invested $6 million to install the Evolv systems in all 48 schools.

Brett Knese, WRAL multimedia jounrnalist

Here's the 2023-2024 calendar for Johnston County Schools

Download the calendar for the 2023-2024 Johnson County School year.

Former Smithfield police officer, Johnston school board member files federal lawsuit

An embattled Johnston County school board member and former Smithfield police officer filed a federal lawsuit, claiming he is a victim and asking for damages.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Seven students ok after Johnston Co. school bus crash, drivers hospitalized

Seven students were on the bus at the time of the crash.

Now hiring: Wake, Durham, Johnston among school districts holding job fairs

Interested in a career in education? On Saturday, four area school districts are holding hiring events.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter

Ronald Johnson free on bond day after indictment

Johnston County school board member Ronald Johnson turned himself in on Tuesday morning after being indicted on Monday.

Bond at $50K for Johnston school board member indicted for extortion

Former Smithfield police officer and current Johnston County Board of Education member Ronald Johnson was indicted by a grand jury on Monday.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Ronald Johnson indicted by grand jury for extortion

Ronald Johnson has been indicted by a grand jury for extortion and obstruction of justice. Johnson has served on the Johnston County School Board since 2016.

Man who brought gun inside Clayton school said he forgot it was in his pocket

A 21-year-old man faces charges of possessing a weapon on educational property and carrying a concealed weapon after a weapons detection system alerted when he entered Clayton Middle School Tuesday to pick up his sisters.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Mother says her son's mouth was taped by Johnston County Schools teacher

A Smithfield Middle School teacher has resigned after an investigation, which found the teacher taped students' mouths shut.

'He was humiliated': Johnston County mother questions why teacher taped middle school student's mouth shut

A Smithfield Middle School teacher has resigned after an investigation, which found the teacher taped students' mouths shut.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

First weapons detection system installed in Johnston County school, more schools to follow

North Johnston Middle School installed an "opengate" weapon detection system Wednesday.

Brett Knese, WRAL multimedia jounrnalist

Johnston County Public Schools installing 'Total Recall'-style weapons detection systems

The district is investing $6 million to put Evolv Technology in all 48 schools.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL Investigates the local school system planning to use AI, radio waves for its new weapon detection system

WRAL Investigates how Johnston County Public Schools are installing a new weapon detection system that uses AI and radio waves rather than metal detectors.

Another school shooting raises question: Where are the metal detectors?

After the gunshot that broke a classroom window and canceled school at Fuquay-Varina Middle School on Thursday morning, rattled parents are again wondering how safe their children are.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Sr. Durham reporter

Johnston County BOE approves $9.5M security upgrades

Many schools like Clayton High School have a "buzz-in" security system where visitors are checked before being allowed in, but the new changes include new technology like weapons detection systems and school resources officers in every school.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Triangle voters approve $1.87B in bonds for schools, parks and higher education

Voters backed raising bonds for cities and counties across the Triangle that will fund improvements in parks, public schools and higher education -- and boost tax bills for residents.

WRAL News staff

Johnston County Board of Education moves to help low-performing schools

The Johnston County Board of Education will meet to discuss how to help low-performing schools

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter

Public discussion gets heated as people express anger over current Johnston County board member

Tensions were running high at the Johnston County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night as people expressed both frustration and support for embattled school board member and suspended Smithfield police officer Ronald Johnson.