It was the farewell column we expected.

Full of praise for staff and students, full of hope for the future of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, and even a nod to the person who is filling her role for the month of December, RRGSD Superintendent Julie Thompson’s final Yellow Jacket Report on Tuesday was a classic exit piece.

“As we move into the final stretch before the Thanksgiving holiday, our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District has much to celebrate, from staff recognitions to student-focused grants, statewide acknowledgments, and continued progress toward our strategic goals in Vision 2035,” she wrote. “This week’s Yellow Jacket Report is full of accomplishments that reflect the heart, talent, and dedication of our RRGSD community.”

She discussed the board’s vote last week — a decision in which the trustees accepted her resignation on a 7-1 count.

From our perspective, this was not a typical resignation. There was too much talk about it for at least a month, if not more, beforehand.

We began receiving text messages that something was afoot — text messages that indicated a leak within the realm of closed session meetings — and one in which we were asked whether something juicy happened following a meeting that was held before the one last week.

It seems out of place that a superintendent who worked hard to see test scores improve across the district would suddenly resign when there was much more work to accomplish.

Whatever we believe, what happened last week will be recorded in the board minutes as a resignation in which board member Michael Salanik was the sole detractor.

Since there is essentially what amounts to a non-disclosure agreement in the document the board approved, the matter has become moot and the public will not have a better idea of what happened to reach this point.

We don’t either — with the exception of the off-the-record and background conversations we have had on the matter that bolster our suspicions.

Following the action by the board, we waited to see if Dr. Thompson would write a final Yellow Jacket Report. And she did.

It was the typical column she had written since first sending us the report in September of 2023 — slightly over two years of praising students and staff, keeping readers abreast of gains in the school system, the triumphs of RRGSD athletics, the various after-school programs, and even commenting with sympathy and compassion about students who lost their lives too early.

Through these columns, we saw compassion for the system shine through and a belief that it could be better than it was the day before.

She wasn’t afraid to address tough issues like the parking debacle at Belmont Elementary School, taking time to patiently explain the solution to those willing to read it with an open mind.

There have been two things in this matter that didn’t surprise us — her resignation and the humble and compassionate way she addressed that Tuesday’s column would be her last.

On Tom Davis, who will become acting superintendent on December 1, she said, “During our leadership meeting on Wednesday, I was grateful for the opportunity to lead our team in prayer for the many blessings we have had here in RRGSD and for continued blessings on my long-time colleague and friend Mr. Davis as he becomes acting superintendent, on the rest of our leadership team, and on our board of trustees as they move forward with the search for the next superintendent of RRGSD.”

She also shared the kindness Belmont students bestowed upon her. That’s why on Tuesday we decided to lead with the photo of Belmont students circled around a poster thanking her for her service. “The incredible staff and students of Belmont Elementary School surprised me with a parade to celebrate and wish me well. Their smiles, cheers, and beautifully crafted artwork meant more to me than I can express. I will treasure the pictures, drawings, and memories from that day forever. Our students’ joy and creativity are constant reminders of why this work matters so deeply.”

In closing, she said, “I leave RRGSD with immense pride in our students and staff, deep affection for our community, and heartfelt hope for the bright future ahead for our RRGSD. I wish every Yellow Jacket a safe, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving. Together we succeed!”

It was her typical closing to her weekly column, and we applaud Dr. Thompson for her compassion for the students, the compassion for her staff, and the way her parting message was one of hope and faith for a school district she loved.

We wish her well in her future endeavors and we thank her for her dedicated service to the RRGSD — Editor