“I have been a part of the Johnston County schools for many years now,” Croom said. “I rejoined the Johnston County schools when there were 17 or 18 schools. Now we are up to 43. I have seen a lot of growth.”

School board members praised Croom. Peggy Smith said Croom was always “leading with the heart.” Butler Hall said Croom was an “extremely intelligent person who will make sure the school system will continue to improve.”

Donna White thanked Croom for helping her learn the ropes when she first joined the board four years ago. Mike Wooten challenged Croom to continue “to look from within, train your people and raise them up when opportunities like this come along.”

Dorothy Johnson said Croom always had a passion for teaching children.

“We made an excellent choice,” she said. “We didn’t have to go anywhere to get it. It was right here with us.”

School board chairman Larry Strickland said the newly formed board believed in promoting from within. “I think it sends a strong signal to the employees of this school system that we believe as a board it’s important to grow your own,” he said. “A united board, a unanimous vote ... I believe this is important as we move forward and take the school system to the next level.”