State Superintendent June Atkinson: 'As I leave this office, I remain grateful'

State Superintendent June Atkinson said an emotional farewell at her final State Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

Posted 6:52 p.m. Dec 1, 2016 — Updated 6:52 p.m. Dec 1, 2016

Kelly Hinchcliffe

RALEIGH, N.C. — State Superintendent June Atkinson said an emotional farewell at her final State Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

After 40 years at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the past 11 as state superintendent, she recently lost her re-election bid to Mark Johnson of Winston-Salem, who will take over in January.

Atkinson cried as she thanked her staff members, students and friends. She listed some of the state's accomplishments during her tenure, including raising the graduation rate, and urged state board members to "stay the course" in supporting public education.

"As I leave this office, I remain grateful," she said.

Watch Atkinson's farewell speech.

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