On October 5, 2021, the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees completed the 2020–2021 performance evaluation of Superintendent Gregory D. Little, ED.D. After careful review of Dr. Little’s performance, the board announced he received an overall outstanding evaluation. This annual evaluation, required by board policy and by the district’s employment agreement with the superintendent, focused on the district’s accomplishments under Dr. Little’s leadership during the 2020–2021 academic year.Of those significant achievements, the board specifically commended Dr. Little for his effective leadership in the following areas:
- implementing the district’s academic recovery plan — designed to identify instructional areas of need and gaps in achievement to provide teachers with relevant information to prepare for the upcoming year.
- collaborating with healthcare and education professionals to create the district’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan which allows schools to overcome obstacles, monitor the needs of students and staff and adjust, as needed, to ensure learning continues.
- continuing to focus on teacher recruitment and retention during the national teacher shortage, which led to the district filling most teaching vacancies.
- successfully constructing and opening the new Centerville Elementary and Pelion Middle, adding classroom wings at Oak Grove Elementary and White Knoll High, adding classrooms at White Knoll Elementary, overseeing construction of Lakeside Middle as well as new performing arts centers at Gilbert High and White Knoll High.
- providing additional summer programs to address learning gaps caused by the 2020–2021 school year. More than 1,300 students participated in the programming.
- developing a full-functioning online school, Lexington One Online Learning Academy (LOOLA), for nearly 7,300 students in six weeks during the summer of 2020.
- expanding the middle school athletic programs to allow more students to participate.
- concentrating on the use of technology to advance education.
- advancing the dual enrollment program so more students may benefit from its substantial academic and financial impact.
- focusing on leadership development, which helped Dr. Little to effectively navigate when several administrators retired and were followed by talented individuals who were prepared to lead.
The board asked Dr. Little to continue to focus on addressing any academic concerns caused by the pandemic; communicating with families, students, staff, the community and the board; and, emphasising teacher and staff retention.
As a result of this overall outstanding performance evaluation, the board extended Dr. Little’s contract an additional year to June 30, 2027, increased his salary by 2% to $219,046, raised his annual annuity by 1% to 10%, and awarded him 10 additional leave days.
