RALEIGH, N.C.  – North Carolina schools superintendent June Atkinson wants the Legislature to decide once for all her role over public education.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that Atkinson wrote a letter Tuesday to House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate leader Marc Basnight. She asked them to work to restore authority to her job or give the governor complete control over the public schools.

The Legislature and State Board of Education have given and taken away power from the superintendent since the 1990s. The post currently has few duties although the superintendent is elected statewide by voters. Atkinson was re-elected in November.

Gov. Beverly Perdue asked last week that the education board make her choice for board chairman the chief executive officer of the schools as well.