JOHNSON APOLOGIZES, QUITS SCHOOL BOARD

He Had Marijuana At Airport; Board To Pick Interim Replacement

Stephen B. Johnson resigned from the Richmond School Board
yesterday, about a week after he was caught with marijuana while
boarding a plane at Richmond International Airport.

In a two-sentence resignation letter dated yesterday, Johnson said,
"I apologize for recent events that have led to this and wish you
continued success in your journey 'From Good to Great.'"

The School Board has 45 days to appoint an interim replacement.
Johnson was serving his second term representing the 5th district.

He began a one-year term as chairman in January 2005 and was widely
regarded as a consensus builder by many on the board and in the community.

Then, in December, Johnson admitted posting an explicit profile of
himself on a pornographic Web site. Though many of his constituents
came to his defense, he stepped down as chairman.

Last Tuesday, three marijuana joints were found in a cigarette pack
Johnson had when he was stopped at an airport security checkpoint on
his way to a charter school convention in Sacramento, Calif. He
admitted they were his but was not charged with a crime. After the
incident became public, he told a Times-Dispatch reporter he would resign.

The interim appointee will serve out the remainder of Johnson's
term. There will be no special election because a general election
is scheduled for November.

Several board members have said although they plan move swiftly to
select a replacement, it is too early to name possible successors.