Former Biloxi schools official back after one day in Hattiesburg job

Former Biloxi School District Assistant Superintendent Janice Johnson resigned Friday as the new superintendent of the Hattiesburg Public School District.

By Saturday, it was confirmed Johnson will be coming back to Biloxi in her former role.

Johnson cited personal and family commitments as the reason for resigning from the Hattiesburg position. She submitted her resignation on her first day on the job, according to the Hattiesburg American.

Johnson became a Biloxi assistant superintendent since 2012. She’ll return to the position, Biloxi School District spokeswoman Jennifer Pyron said Saturday.

Pyron released a statement from Johnson.

"After having had the opportunity to spend time in the District over the last few days and understanding the demands that the position will place on me and my commitment to my family, I did not believe it would be in my family’s best interest for me to take the position. I have significant personal commitments that simply will not allow me to put the time and effort into the demands of the superintendent’s position. I wish the Hattiesburg School District all the best.”

Johnson was announced as the Hattiesburg School District’s new superintendent June 22, replacing Interim Superintendent Greg Ladner, whose term expired June 30. Ladner was interim superintendent of the Moss Point School District in the 2011-12 school year.

The Hattiesburg Public School District Board selected Johnson, who has worked in education for 22 years, from a field of 31 candidates after about a month of evaluations.

This story was originally published July 2, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Former Biloxi schools official back after one day in Hattiesburg job."