Pubdate: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) Copyright: 2006 Richmond Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.timesdispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365 Author: Lindsay Kastner, Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman