Lexington 2 superintendent-elect Siler resigns, is reassigned

The incoming superintendent of Lexington 2 schools, Tom Siler, has been reassigned to be a “special consultant for the district,” the school board announced in a news release following a board meeting Thursday night.

Siler was to take over in full this summer for outgoing superintendent Venus Holland, who retires next month. Siler immediately assumes his duties as special consultant.

Bill James, a one-time Airport High School principal, will serve as interim superintendent for the 2015-16 school year, according to Lexington 2 board chairman Bill Bingham. His contract begins Tuesday as assistant superintendent. He’ll become interim when Holland retires June 18, Bingham said.

Siler, a former Pelion educator and town councilman, beat out James and another candidate last July to succeed Holland. He has served for the past year under her tutelage.

Lexington 2 officials on Friday would not discuss Siler’s reassignment. Bingham said neither he nor the district had any comment on Siler’s situation.

“I think that we are fortunate that Dr. James was available and willing to come serve Lexington 2,” Bingham said. “We’re thrilled to have him and his leadership abilities to lead us through some exciting times that we’re going to see in Lexington 2 in the next few years.”

One of James’ biggest responsibilities, Bingham said, will be to oversee the still-early stages of a $225 million bond package for new schools and renovations that voters approved in November.

Over the course of the next year, the board will decide whether and how to proceed with a search for a permanent superintendent, Bingham said.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 5:48 PM.