Former Wake superintendent to take over Northampton district due to its 'low performance'

The State Board of Education announced Thursday that they're removing Dr. Pamela Chamblee as superintendent of Northampton County Schools.

The board said in a statement that "the Northampton School District has been low-performing for years despite many opportunities to improve."

Effective immediately, former Wake County Public School superintendent Dr. Del Burns will take charge of the district in the interim.

In a statement, the state board said Burns has "an impressive track record of helping to lift achievement levels."

According to the board, it is within their power to remove superintendents who do not perform well.

A group of Northampton County leaders told WRAL News they're planning to speak out against the state's decision Friday morning, calling her firing "a sham."

Burns previously was the interim superintendent of New Hanover County Schools, where he was given a $132,000 contract that drew scrutiny. He was paid $22,100 a month to work an average of 29.5 hours a week, NBC affiliate WECT News reports.