SMITHFIELD – Johnston County public school board member Ronald Johnson has announced his resignation. Mr. Johnson was elected to the school board in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
This morning (Friday), Mr. Johnson released an exclusive statement to The Johnston County Report:
“At this time, I am unable to serve in my role as a member of the Board of Education. For the past 3 months, I have been the subject of relentless threats and harassment, which include receiving threatening text messages from an anonymous phone number while I’m at board meetings and public places. These have been reported, and I am hopeful the people responsible are located. I have also been the target of false accusations impacting my career and personal life, which have been a burden to my friends, family, and colleagues. Some people are taking this opportunity to torment me and my family regarding these false accusations. There comes a time when you need to step away from the drama and all the ones creating it. All things considered, I am not in position to govern or lead. I will give my notice to Dr. Bracy next week, and July 17th will be my official last day. I’m still committed to doing good things for our community. I can do good things for people without being on the Board of Education. This position doesn’t define me; It was a way to help people and our schools. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me over the past 6 years. It was truly an honor to serve Johnston County.”
Mr. Johnson’s current term on the school board expires in November 2024. It is unclear how the unexpired seat will be filled.
On Tuesday, Johnson, who is a detective with the Smithfield Police Department, was placed on administrative leave pending completion of an internal investigation. Police Chief Keith Powell confirmed Thursday the internal investigation was being conducted but declined to release any further details.
Johnson has been a member of the Smithfield Police Department for 17 years.
A law enforcement agency is currently investigating the alleged threats made against Ronald Johnson and his family that began in May of this year.
Well, there went one of the only decent people on the board. We’re back to square one.
Obviously, not that decent, eh? He won’t even stand up for himself.
Since you are short on knowledge, you shouldn’t be long on mouth.
Well said.
I wish you would not have went down like this mr Johnson. I’m sure you already know who is behind most of this. He is all over social media putting you down . He is trying to con his way onto the board since he lost big in the primary . Good luck on your future buddy
He’s not the only one behind this. Some so called “upstanding” citizens that have been here for many years are behind this as well.
This is very disappointing. I’m a light liberal and I really liked him as a school board member. From what I observed in boe meetings I thought he approached situations in a very logical, level headed way. He also asked good questions. He seemed to really care about the students.
Where art thou, terrybarnes?
I hope the truth comes out on all of this in the end… no matter how the chips fall. I hope if he is being harassed and threatened the people responsible are held responsible. Now for the other board member who was arrested to resign!
Jen R, if you are referring to Richard Braswell, he is a County Commissioner while Mr. Johnson is a member of the School Board. Two different positions.
I realized after I hit done I made it sound like Braswell was BOE not BOC. Either way he needs to resign!!
Sad…I hope they catch the one responsible for the threats.
Will not miss him and his grandstanding
“Grandstanding” what liberals call it when a person stands up for what they believe in and oppose them. Hypocrite.
Conservative Republican here. He absolutely grandstands. He’s been caught in so many lies. I have voted for him and known him since he was a boy. Deeply disappointed in him. not okay at all.
I oppose him because he would tell you one thing in person, and then reverse himself for the news media. But if calling out this liar for his lies and grandstanding makes me a “liberal”, then so be it. I don’t mindlessly disregard a lack of ethics because of any party loyalty as I’m a slave to no party.
Very unfortunate that the only BOE member with a spine is now the target, but comes as no surprise. I’m troubled that this is in Johnston County…I’d expect it in Wake, but we moved here to avoid things like this, and now rather they are at our doorstep.
Johnston has hardly been distinguishing itself lately, seems there are conservative white male predators resigning from official positions every other month.
I wish the one on the board of commissioners would resign!
Braswell had June, who was the predator for May and April?
Wake County is constantly expanding, to the point where what I used to think was the “Old Time Southern County” is losing its history at the same rate Raleigh did. I’m stuck living in Raleigh right now and wanted to move somewhere in JoCo, but now I’m honestly debating moving out of NC entirely. I don’t fit in with the current majority of NC.
Bye Bye, Bubba
Not much of a spine if he’s afraid to defend himself, eh?
Oh come on. This man is a police detective. Are you really trying to convince me that a police detective is so weak and frail that someone harassing him could cause him to resign from his elected position? I’m not buying that for a minute.
You resign your position when you know there is crap coming out about you at some point that will so impugn your integrity that you will no longer be able to fulfill your responsibilities. You don’t resign because someone sends you a text message about seeing you play racquetball in the gym.
To me, this is pretty typical Ron Johnson – going out by playing the victim, rather than fessing up to his unethical behavior. But I guess we’ll see, because we’ve yet to see this whole story come out just yet.
Could not agree more. Should be interesting to hear what he has done.
Well said Bill
Truth telling does not appear to be his strong point.
Ronald is an amazing man who has represented students, teachers and taxpayers fairly and honestly for years in Johnston county.
He is also a family man and I’m sure this was a difficult decision for him to have to make.
We love you Ronald and we are praying for you and your family.
And we need to pray for all of Johnston county as the only board member who represented all of us is no longer serving so who knows what will happen
I believe in you Ron Jon!!
A family man? Wow! I don’t think family men do things that he is being accused of. However, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. His wife is the real victim unfortunately.
Well, well, well, who will Todd Sutton jam down the throats of the Johnston County Tax Payers and Parents to reenforce that the Abortion Mill Democrats do own your children should they make it past the democrat abortion chambers. Now $180-K-Carroll may feel there is no one to out him and he can bring back his useful experience in closed door meetings. Look out folks! I think we are going to see a very arrogant board in thier last days of power? Have you ever seen a board govern so hard against the will of the people? The truth is Ron-Jon voted with them most of the time, he just outed $180-K-Carroll.
https://jocoreport.com/180000-consulting-contract-with-former-school-superintendent-considered/
https://jocoreport.com/spirited-debate-at-school-board-meeting/
Terry, I think you should run for BOE next go around
It’s all good. We have a pretty solid line up for November. Just wish we could deport Mercier back to Wake County where he belongs.
Disappointed in you terrybarnes. After a year of supporting Ron, you now are saying he’s no different than the rest? Sounds like buyers remorse, to me!
LOL, don’t say I did not tell you he was no good from the start. What about all the people he coned into showing up with him to sign up for reelection.
He didn’t “con” anyone. I am a friend of his and he asked if I would like to go. Didn’t have to bribe me.
This is the judgemental, bigoted, intolerance I expect to be accused of myself…can you stay in your lane please? LMAO.
Wow you guys are crude! If you don’t know him don’t judge! You lost a good one
I know the investigation behind this, the PD and SBI have interviewed the ********** of this married police officer/school board member. I can tell you that as a retired career police officer and state investigator I have NEVER heard of ANY POLICE OFFICER being placed on ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE for anything let alone harrassment! harrassment comes with the job. No, it is because HE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. It’d be better if he admitted the truth, but he has lost credibility in the public and in law enforcement.
Jim you don’t know anymore about the investigation other than what you have read, and then you gave your opinion.
Why has Detective Johnson resigned from the Board of Education if he is innocent? Why doesn’t he state that the investigation will clear him of any wrongdoing and that he looks forward to continuing to serve the children of Johnston County?
Jim, stop acting like you are in the know. No one in law enforcement trusts you and would never jeopardize an ongoing investigation by letting you know about it. How many times in a statement or conversation can you add the fact that you USED to be in law enforcement? How about the fact that your certification was revoked by the State of NC? Go quietly into the night please.
You’ve never heard of any police officer being placed on Administrative Leave for anything? So the fact that there was an internal investigation on a captain a few months ago, you’re telling me you didn’t know? It was all over the news & JOCO Report. If you follow these things like you act like you do, then you would’ve known about that one. It’s the fact that YOU pick on who you want when you don’t like the person.
(1) Karma… (2) He does not know board policy (which he is so adamant that everyone else follows) OR his lack of respect for board policy and established procedures is showing. He stated he would give his notice to Dr. Bracy next week. However, JCPS board policy 2115 clearly states that a member who decides to resign shall give written notice to the chair of the Board. So why has he not followed the policy to resign? (3) Why is he waiting until next week? He needs one more week of power? He should resign effective immediately.
Leave Ronald Johnson alone! He was our only hope on the school board! There is no telling what might be fixing to happen in our schools! All I can say is we just lost the best person we had that would fight for our children! So sorry to see you go! Mr. Ronald Johnson, just know you were appreciated!
This smells like a set up to me.
Dam*it
Choo chooo railroad coming
Ron-Jon if you wouldn’t resign and would start a Go-Fund-Me, I know that I would be very generous to you and so would several other thousands of people. I didn’t allways liked the way you voted but I did respect you for calling out and $180-K-Carroll for his closed door vote to hand over that backdoor pay check. I do think if you wouldn’t give up your rewards would be unimaginable with a Go-Fund-Me account and you would see alot of your enemies grow tired.
Wow, need your nose to be any browner, terrybarnes? You’re willing to support a man who won’t even stand up and defend himself?!?!
I will take anyone over the Socialist-Communist Abortion Mill Democrat Party. YES!
Terry B is basically saying Ron Jon is corrupt and should stay in a position of power. Fascist are gross
So women should die of ectopic pregnancies? I want to hear you say it, Terry Barnes. If you believe it, say it with your chest.
End of quote. Repeat the line. If you like pina coladas, and getting caught in Ukraine. Uncle Joe sniffs the children, while Hunter snorts cocaine.
10% for the big guy!
We’ll no one else has said it so I will. I’ve lived here for about 25 years and every interaction with Smithfield PD has not gone very well. Between them being very unprofessional and racist I’m sure some stuff is about to come out.
Corrupt cops who push fascist ideology. This man is brainwashed by Russian influence. Those who are corrupt in power are pawns. Trump the biggest pawn of all. Ron Johnson is a typical autocrat that implemented a policy to ban thought in a school in an attempt to brainwash the youth all while violating privacy Putins Pawns…
Honestly, I have to laugh at some of the comments directed at me. First, my actual name is in the comments, cowards use initials or phony names. I DO know what I’m talking about and have seen and if you wish to know more and how I know, feel free to meet me in person. The G.S. 50 (C) that Ronald Johnson swore to in front of the Magistrate was really a G.S. 50 (B). He clearly knew the difference being a police officer, as he’d had a relationship with her. I saw a copy of the document. “PD” should be smart enough to know this. Tell me “John,” as I do have good law enforcement and investigative sources who do trust me and even voted for me. Tell me WHEN was my Advanced Certification revoked? For how long? I wasn’t suspended for 1 minute! Who revoked it and where is my copy? Why did I get promoted and stay 3 years after the case was cleared? I won the case by a vote of 19-1, where were you “John?” Why do I have a plaque and my Honorable Police Retirement Certificate and badge on my wall from Rocky Mount? Come on “John” SHOW ME WHEN IT WAS REVOKED! Oh and ‘”yea, I said it,” I ‘ve seen Ronald Johnson 3 times in my life and the first time was at a GOP meeting when he made his now renowned FAFO remarks. I have no feelings towards him one way or another so you’ll have to outline HOW and WHY I don’t like him. And yes, I know about the other Administrative Leave/Suspension you speak of and he WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION! When did you ever hear about any cop suspended for being harrassed or for being a victim? If he is right he should allow the truth and facts to come out and not resign from anything and fight it if he knows he’s a victim and being harrassed. I suggest people challenging me have their facts straight.
You have hit the nail on the head, Jim. I have no ill will towards Johnson, but my sources indicate this is going to be no good for him.
Jim I didn’t mean to offend you. I don’t want to meet you in person. There are already too many people in my life that claim to know everything.
Calm and cool there Jimbo. By the way, another conversation in which you have to push your “experience”. Why don’t you explain how you complain and sue your way around law enforcement? You laugh at the comments made toward you? Sure, this nice long cap locked rant about how awesome you are and how much you “know” proves you stress too much. Why don’t you go back to writing editorials no one reads or wasting money trying to get 1% of a vote?
You seem to have a personal problem with Jim. Care to comment on why a police detective has been placed on administrative leave and why he decided to resign. Stop trying to kill the messenger and explain why your obvious friend is in this situation.
I see you took the best course of action and used your “pretend name” to comment. I don’t have a personal problem with you Jim, but you’re just like those yahoo’s on the live videos. No proof. No evidence. Always speculation. You have to throw out that you’re a retired cop, the live guy is only known now since he was there when that girl was found. But yall want everyone to know who YOU are when that don’t have nothing to do with it. Stop killing the messenger? You messengers need to bring proof. He’s on administrative leave due to an investigation. He probably decided to resign because who wouldn’t when your name is getting thrown around like that. Glad he decided not to. Yall are gonna feel real different when you find out the real truth.
“Why do I have a plaque and my Honorable Police Retirement Certificate and badge on my wall?”…”as I do have good law enforcement and investigative sources…”I’m sitting back laughing at YOUR comments. That’s all you can say in the majority of your posts. I have no respect for people like you that have to constantly remind others that you’re retired from law enforcement and you’ve got this and that. That’s boasting. I bet if any cop stopped you for speeding, the first thing you’d say is “I’m retired law enforcement and I have a plaque on my wall” just to get out of a ticket. You should know that once you’re gone, nobody, even your coworkers care, because your a had been.
Also, didn’t you retire from Rocky Mount PD? Funny that you say you use your name when there is someone else on here as “Rocky Mount.” And everyone knows what kind of place Rocky Mount is. So that in itself is nothing to boast about. I wouldn’t even want people to know if I’d worked there.
We just don’t care, if he should want to not resign then we support him. Is that simple enough?
Wow, this great man that some have placed on a joco pedestal, is the one and same that i reported that my special needs granddaughter was assaulted directly to mr Johnson and he did absolutely nothing. Nothing as a boe member, or as a police officer. Yet there are those who revere these types.the covers will fall off by karma.we are here to serve all of the people, not a select few. Everyone deserves justice and equality. And justice will occur with or without your help. USA retired m Jones.
Assaulted? By who? What are the details? Seems news worthy.
Chances are he did nothing because there was nothing. Opinions don’t make a person guilty.
People, no one knows for sure what happened or is happening but Mr Johnson & the Lord or what didn’t happen. Therefore, instead of talking about him & posting it all over social media, pray for him & his family. You might want to throw a prayer in for yourself, while you are at it. Also, just because he resigned from the Johnston County Board of Ed., it does not make him guilty. I don’t know if Mr Johnson is a godly man, but God may have asked him to step down. Just remember, gossip is just as wrong or sinful as the wrong you are talking about in another person. If we would all pray for each other & work together with God at the head, this world would be a much better place.
God may have asked him to step down?
Anyone hears voices in their head telling oneself to take action they need medication. Crazy Qcult JoCo
An innocent man doesn’t run away. His actions speak volumes. As is written:
“If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (Timothy 5:8)
I personally think that they should not appoint a replacement. Let the voters decide in November and take the top vote getters, for the empty spot, as well as the ones that terms are ending.
I agree!! Let voters decide not the outgoing board chairman.
Except, it doesn’t really matter what you think. We have laws in place to account for this (the board appoints a replacement). That is, unless you feel you’re above the law?
How the board of Ed fills a vacant seat is not “law” it’s policy. Sheesh.
115C-37. Election of board members read to vacancies sheesh
Sheeeeesh Vacancies in Office. – All vacancies in the membership of the boards of education whose members are elected pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section by death, resignation, or other causes shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board, of a person to serve until the next election of members of such board, at which time the remaining unexpired term of the office in which the vacancy occurs shall be filled by election. NC Law 115c-37(f)
I stand corrected, thank you for doing so.