New Dimensions Charter replaces director and 14 others

New Dimensions Charter School abruptly replaced its director last week and is filling 14 other positions, including eight teacher roles, sparking discourse and speculation across social media over the last weekend in May.

The New Dimensions (NDS) Board of Directors announced the new interim director on Tuesday, assigning the role to sixth-grade science and social studies teacher Heather Hollifield four days after opting not to renew former director Lisa Ervin’s contract.

“After careful consideration, the Board and our School Director, Lisa Ervin, have parted ways,” read a statement from the NDS Board on Monday, June 1. “We are grateful for the care, dedication, and leadership (Ervin) brought to New Dimensions during an important chapter in our school’s history.”

Ervin, who briefly served as the interim director for a few months before James Davis took the role in April 2023, stepped up to the official school director role in August 2023, where she’s been ever since.

She explained that the decision surprised her when, on Friday, May 29, she learned her contract wasn’t being renewed.

“It was totally out of the blue,” Ervin said. “No reason was given.”

Despite the abrupt end to her tenure, Ervin said she wishes nothing but the best for the school, families, and students.

“I’m looking forward to resting, visiting my daughter in Charleston, and deciding what God has planned for me next,” she said.

Board Chair Jamie Smith declined to comment on HR-related matters but did say that Ervin was “not the recipient of an early termination of her contract, which will end June 30, 2026.”

OTHER STAFF

Rumors swirled online concerning the nature of staffing changes when the news broke on social media a day ahead of the public statement.

While the statement clarified that there were several retirements, Smith confirmed that retirees weren’t the only staff members leaving their roles at NDS.

In total, 15 staff members separated from the charter school — the former director, three teacher retirements, two staff departures for personal reasons, two resignations with no reasons provided, and seven staff members whose contracts weren’t renewed.

In total, eight of the 15 were teachers.

“All positions were either in process of being filled and had contracts issued, have replacements secured inside the building, or are on track to be filled, with final confirmation coming from the interim director,” Smith said. “The board does not hire instructional or support staff, only the director.”

Before the retirements, resignations, and non-renewals, the school had 85 employees.

Following the departure of almost 18% of NDS’ staff, Smith explained that all but two of the roles had already been refilled as of June 3, with final staffing numbers for the upcoming school year being decided by Hollifield during her onboarding process beginning on June 8.

“Retirements and resignations are within our normal range,” Smith said. “Non-renewals were slightly higher than average this year, but those decisions fall within the director’s purview and reflect summative performance reviews and school needs — not anything outside of the ordinary process.”

PARENT RESPONSE

“I’m personally excited about the changes, and I believe in the school board’s judgment,” said Justina Keene, the mother of third, fifth, and eighth graders at NDS, with one on the way to kindergarten in the 2027-28 school year.

“If they felt compelled to be able to make these changes, I’m sure they were necessary, and I’m hoping it helps us take steps in the right direction and that we get some new great and passionate staff members.”

“I’d like to see the new director address issues with students head on, properly lead and support their staff, communicate more efficiently, and involve the families in the school again without everything feeling like a money grab,” she continued, referencing her disappointment in this past year’s fall festival.

THE INTERIM DIRECTOR

Hollifield is no stranger to leading a school, having spent two years as the principal at Table Rock Middle School and as an assistant principal across schools in Burke and Catawba counties.

“We have a great opportunity,” Hollifield said. “I’m excited to get to know those families (that I’ve worked with) better and then get to know some of the families that I haven’t worked with. … I’m excited about working with the staff this summer. Right now, we’re focused on the schedule.”

Among the top three initiatives on Hollifield’s plate, she plans to focus on making sure summer school runs smoothly, ensuring the right people are in the right spots, and bringing the school together by fostering the unique culture of NDS.

“We have so many great people in the building,” Hollifield said. “Whenever there’s change, they get nervous — I would, too. I understand that. We need to reassure. We need to tell them and remind them how great they are. I think, sometimes, our teachers forget what a great job they do every day.”

Hollifield agreed to serve as interim director through Oct. 1 and said she does not plan to pursue the permanent role at this time.

SEARCHING FOR A NEW DIRECTOR

According to Smith, the most important job of the director is being a liaison between the board and the community, staff, and families while assisting with the development and execution of a strategic plan.

“The director needs to be able to speak both languages,” Smith said, referring to the balance between education and operational needs at the school. “That person has to be really good at communication and really good at trust building and community building. I think we’re all recognizing and feeling, in this moment, that maybe that’s something we have the opportunity to enhance with the next director.”

People interested in the role may submit a resume and letter of interest to governance@ndschool.org.

Once the posting is live, it will be available on online hiring portals such as the school’s website and the Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Charter Schools.