The Johnston County Board of Education voted Wednesday night to censure one of its members and give him an ultimatum to resign.
Ronald Johnson was accused of secretly recording board members on 10 occasions, including discussions about administration salaries. There's also a claim he used his status to try to change the school assignment of two special education students.
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Wednesday, school board members went over notes from investigations into the allegations.
"Sir, you have abused the trust of your office," said board member Terri Sessoms.
"Based on these reports, you have abused the trust of the people who voted for you."
Johnson has until noon on Friday to resign. Otherwise, the school board will send a drafted letter to the district attorney to have him removed.
Johnson has served on the school board since 2016. His term is due to end in 2024.
"The greater weight will be given to information that you have because I refuse to participate in what I believe is a witch hunt," Johnson told fellow board members during Wednesday's meeting.
During a meeting earlier this month, board members pushed back on leaked audio that appeared to have members discussing hiding millions of dollars from county commissioners.
Members claimed one of their own recorded the audio during a closed session in March. The 43-second clip gives the impression of unethical decision making over the allocation of COVID-19 relief money inside Johnston County Public Schools. However, board members said they were discussing a proposal for a bond referendum to be presented to county commissioners in the leaked audio.
Johnson is also on unpaid leave from the Smithfield Police Department because of an internal investigation. Additional details about what prompted the investigation have not been released, citing personnel matters.