Atkinson write to co-workers follows NC ruling

RALEIGH -- June Atkinson's first full workday with renewed authority as head of the state's public schools was spent out of North Carolina. The superintendent of public instruction was in Colorado on Monday attending a meeting of the national Council of Chief State School Officers. But Atkinson also wrote an e-mail to state school employees following a court ruling last Friday that found she has the constitutional authority to be day-to-day administrator of the public schools. Atkinson sued after Gov. Beverly Perdue appointed Bill Harrison to the State Board of Education and made him her choice to run the schools. Atkinson wrote that she and Harrison "will continue to work together for the benefit of all students." The case is likely to be appealed. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)