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RALEIGH (AP) — Superintendent June Atkinson said today she will run for another four years as chief administrator of the state's public schools, declining to step aside as at least two other fellow Democrats said publicly they were interested in the job.

Atkinson, who was sworn in as superintendent seven months late in 2005 because of election litigation and sued four years later to protect her powers, said she doesn't want to leave office during what she calls a remodeling effort for the public schools.

"It was a hard decision, but there's quite a few things that we have under way," Atkinson said. "I feel like we're in the middle of the game, and I don't want to leave the game."

Atkinson, who had three decades of experience as a teacher and administrator within the state Department of Public Instruction before becoming superintendent, said she's pleased that the high school graduation rate has increased from 68 percent within four years to 78 percent.

She said there is plenty of work left to improve the performance of the state's 1.5 million public school students and teachers and administrators. Projects related to the state's federal Race to the Top grants are being carried out, including one that will expand the tracking of children's progress from infancy through 12th grade through digital record keeping.

North Carolina is also one of four states participating in an effort funded by two large foundations that are creating an online resource center for parents interested in their children's education.

Atkinson said she's spoken about her decision with Democratic Reps. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County and Rick Glazier of Cumberland County, who both have expressed interest in becoming superintendent of public instruction. Cotham said late last year she wouldn't run if Atkinson did. Glazier has formed a campaign committee for the job.

"Both are disappointed, but there are other years. There are other elections," she said.

Atkinson said she didn't ask them for assurances that they would stay on the sidelines in 2012.

At least three Republicans also have said they want the job to which Atkinson first was elected in 2004. But she didn't get sworn in until August 2005 because of a close election and her Republican challenger questioning certain provisional ballots. The General Assembly ultimately stepped in and held an historic joint session to vote and declare her the winner.

She was re-elected in 2008, but early that next year Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue sought to consolidate education power in Bill Harrison, her choice to lead the State Board of Education. Atkinson sued, challenging the board's ability to eliminate her duties to manage the department's day-to-day affairs. A judge sided with her, and Harrison stepped back to a more traditional chairman's role.