Little named Lexington 1 school chief

North Carolina educator Gregory Little was chosen Thursday as the next school superintendent in Lexington 1, a steadily growing area with some of the top-rated classrooms in South Carolina.

The School Board selected him to succeed Karen Woodward, who is retiring after nearly 16 years.

Little seems the best fit, board chairwoman Debra Knight said.

“His educational expertise and experiences will benefit our district as we continue our quest to create college- and career-ready graduates through educational excellence characterized by warm, personalized teaching and learning,” she said.

He was chosen after three finalists met privately this month with board members and Lexington 1 staff. None of the sessions were public.

Little, 40, has been superintendent in Mount Airy, N.C. – whose population is less than half of Lexington 1’s enrollment – for four years but spent most of his career in Raleigh-Durham schools. He could not be reached for comment

In his resume, he lists strengthening science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics as well as emphasizing foreign languages and online instruction as accomplishments, all in collaboration with teachers and families.

Two main challenges await Little in managing 30 schools in suburbs, small towns and farms spread across nearly half the 758-square-mile county:

▪ Handle steady growth: More than 25,000 students are in Lexington 1 classrooms, second-largest enrollment in the Midlands. Planners predict thousands more will come in the next 20 years, so there’s discussion about asking voters to approve tax hikes for more facilities and renovations. But no plan to do that has been developed.

▪ Continue academic improvement: Woodward pushed innovation that delivered results. Knight saluted her for “guiding us through significant change.” It’s a juggling act to keep teachers, parents and students satisfied while making sure there’s progress.

Little, hired through mid-2019, will be paid $199,000 a year initially. His start date is to be determined.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 9:14 PM with the headline "Little named Lexington 1 school chief."