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RALEIGH – There's both praise and criticism from the community about placing Superintendent Del Burns on paid administrative leave until the end of June.

School board members said Burns' decision to criticize new policy initiatives in media interviews was "totally inappropriate."

The North Carolina NAACP released a statement that said Burns was removed by a 5-4 vote.

"The Margiotta Caucus that took over the Wake school board has taken its first action to deprive minority children of equal opportunities for good education," the statement read.

Bob Luebke, an education policy analyst with the Civitas Institute wrote in his blog that removing Burns was the right thing to do.

"While I respect Mr. Burns’ contributions to Wake County Schools, I cannot agree with his decision to refuse to sign a statement that essentially reiterates his stated responsibilities to carry out school board policy," he wrote. "Burns’ refusal is surprising to many."

Luebke said he found out from news reports that Burns was asked to sign a statement that his duties clearly should be in line with carrying out the policies of the school board and whether he could agree with that.

"His refusal to sign that statement indicates to me that a trust was ruptured," Luebke said.

Richard Schwartz, Burns' attorney, confirmed that Burns had received a statement from the board and returned a detailed letter at the end of last week. But, Schwartz said he couldn't comment on the nature of the correspondence.

Meanwhile, school board attorney Ann Majestic could not confirm or deny the exchange occurred because she said it's still considered confidential personnel information.

That's also why board members are not saying much more than the statement read by Chairman Ron Margiotta Tuesday night.

"The board made the decision," said Debra Goldman, school board vice chair. "It was not a decision that was arrived at knee-jerk, spur of the moment, rashly. It was a decision that was well thought out, obviously over three meetings, over a couple of weeks. And, it's a decision that I hope everyone will find best suited for all parties involved."

Goldman added that she and other board members feel the focus now is on finding the right fit for a new permanent head of the state's largest school system.

"This is an important time of year for a search to take place if we're looking for somebody who I think can bring really good talent and ideas to Wake County," said school board member Kevin Hill.

Hill added that spring is usually the time when superintendents move around from their current districts, so he recommended acting quickly.

Margiotta said the board may start discussing or even have an interim superintendent in place by their next meeting on March 23. Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens has taken over the role temporarily since Burns was placed on administrative leave. Margiotta also hoped to start figuring out how to find a permanent replacement.

"We can start discussing the search team, or the type of search we intend to do," he said. "I've been through this one in the past with a national search, and we might want to consider the same thing this time."