New superintendent named to lead Lexington Two schools
Lexington School District Two has hired a new superintendent.
Dr. Nicolas Wade was named the next superintendent by Lexington Two’s board of trustees at a specially-called meeting last week, according to a news release from the school district.
Wade will start in August, when he’ll serve as superintendent-elect until the retirement of Superintendent Dr. William James at the end of the 2020-21 school year. James has been Lexington Two’s superintendent since 2014.
Unlike James, who had more than 30 years experience working in South Carolina education before becoming superintendent, Wade will be new to the Palmetto State.
The 36-year-old is coming from Illinois, where he most recently served as superintendent of Elmwood Park Community Unit School District #401, according to the release.
“Our Board is excited for the opportunities that Dr. Wade will bring to Lexington Two,” Chairman Bill Bingham Jr. said in the release. “His vision and experience will be invaluable assets to the community, and his dynamic personality will fit well with the Lexington Two family.”
Prior to his stint at Elmwood Park, Wade served for two years as an assistant principal at Winnebago High School in Winnebago, Illinois, according to the release.
He was originally hired at Elmwood Park as an assistant principal, rising to the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, before being named superintendent in 2017, Lexington Two reported.
Under Wade’s guidance, Elmwood Park launched full-day kindergarten, instructional coaching programs, and dual enrollment and certification pathways partnerships with local colleges, while also raising state report card scores and high school graduation rates, according to the release. Lexington Two officials said Wade also led capital improvement and referendum projects for school construction and upgrades, and expanded community outreach programs.
In 2006, Wade got a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois; and went on to earn a master’s in education from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois in 2010; followed by a doctor of education in 2012 from Argosy University-Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois; according t o the release.
“I am very much appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the (Lexington Two board) and humbled by their faith in me to continue moving Lexington Two forward,” Wade said in the release. “I look forward in the coming weeks and months to learning from all stakeholders about Lexington Two’s history and collaborating with them on future directions in championing children through diversified opportunities and supports.”
Wade will ultimately replace James, a graduate of Wofford College, with advanced degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Lexington School District Two Schools
High School
▪ Airport
▪ Brookland-Cayce
Middle School
▪ Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy
▪ R.H. Fulmer
▪ Northside
▪ Pine Ridge
Elementary School
▪ Cayce
▪ Congaree
▪ Riverbank
▪ Saluda River Academy for the Arts
▪ Springdale
▪ Herbert H. Wood
SOURCE: Lexington School District Two
This story was originally published July 5, 2020 at 10:53 AM.
