JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — Just in time for the end of the year, Lafayette High School has fallen under new leadership.
Catherine Worley, Williamsburg-James City County schools assistant superintendent of school leadership, called parents and families on Monday evening to let them know the principal, Kimberly Hollemon, would be taking a leave of absence, said Eileen Cox, spokeswoman for the district.
Contrary to posts on social media, Hollemon was not escorted off of the school’s property, Cox said.
The message informed parents the division’s current math coordinator, Daniel Miani, would be filling in for Hollemon during the leave.
Before entering his position at central office, Miani had been the assistant principal at Lafayette High School. Since he is moving from a division position, there is no need for an additional assistant principal at the school.
While the change come just before the testing season for students, Cox said the district confident students will still be successful.
“The success of our students and the academic programs at [Lafayette High School] do not rest solely with one person,” Cox wrote in an email. “There is an entire network of caring, highly-qualified education professionals who come to work each day dedicated to teaching, learning and student achievement.”
The reason for Hollemon’s leave remains unclear. Cox said the district refrains from commenting on personnel matters, such as Hollemon’s pay during her leave.
However, Cox said generally an employee can be placed on administrative leave with pay for a variety of reasons, such as job performance reviews or during the time the Human Resources Department might take to look into reports of misconduct.
Cox said an administrative leave is not a disciplinary action and does not indicate that an employee has acted inappropriately.
“It is simply part of the process which may be used in personnel matters,” she said.
Stephanie Williams, spokeswoman for the James City County Police Department, said there are no charges related to Hollemon.
