Superintendent of Public Instruction-elect Dr. June Atkinson made this statement today at a press conference held at NC Democratic Party headquarters:

"Last week, the State Supreme Court and the U.S. Dept. of Justice each handed Bill Fletcher another defeat in his efforts to block my taking office as State Superintendent. Even with the inevitable staring Bill in the face, he has yet to stop his stalemate that has lasted over the last six months.

Characterizing the last six months as an inconvenience for education is being very charitable. The election for State Superintendent of Public Instruction continues to be in limbo because Bill Fletcher has an insatiable thirst for challenging the voters' choice. Bill Fletcher refuses to accept the inevitable.

He has filed multiple lawsuits that have led to a waste of taxpayers' dollars. He has asked for a new election that would cost us millions of dollars. He has inconvenienced Mrs. Tricia Willoboughby who has graciously served as State Superintendent during this fray. He has frustrated people in the Department of Public Instruction by creating a cloud of uncertainty about when a new superintendent will take office. He has ignored the many cries from citizens, including those from his own party, and the many newspapers in this state who have asked him to concede.

Most of all, he has shown a disrespect for North Carolina's children by denying the inevitable and being a sore loser.

In short, Bill Fletcher has failed to use two important words that should be in his vocabulary-I concede.

Bill Fletcher wants this political soap opera to last for years. For the sake of public education, I want the soap opera to play its final episode soon.

Thus, I have been forced to exercise my constitutional and legal rights to settle this election. Today, I re-filed a Notice of Intent to Contest the Election with the North Carolina General Assembly. Last week, the U.S. Justice Department approved the General Assembly's legal right to decide this election. In light of this pre-clearance, I re-filed the Notice of Intent and ask the General Assembly to act as soon as possible.

I call on the House Speaker and the President Pro Tem to appoint the Committees that will consider this Contest immediately so that I may get to work on behalf of the school children of this state."

News and Observer Editorial: Send in a Superintendent