The Kannapolis City Board of Education has voted to terminate the contract of Dr. Pamela Cain, superintendent. The termination was effective Monday.

Dr. Daron “Chip” Buckwell has been named interim superintendent.

No explanation was offered for the termination.

Buckwell has been with Kannapolis City Schools since 1985. During that time, he has served as a teacher, dropout prevention coordinator, director of student services, director of testing, principal and assistant superintendent.

During his time as principal of Kannapolis Middle School, Buckwell was named Kannapolis City Schools’ Principal of the Year after leading KMS to high or expected growth for five consecutive years. Buckwell began as assistant superintendent for Kannapolis City Schools in January 2013.

Buckwell said he is not planning any major shake-ups during his time as interim superintendent.

“We’ve done pretty extensive planning through our strategic plan and through our continuous improvement plans in each school, and I plan on continuing that course,” he said.

Cain came to Kannapolis City Schools in July 2010. She succeeded longtime superintendent Dr. Jo Anne Byerly who retired in June of that year. Before coming to Kannapois, Cain was assistant state superintendent of West Virginia public schools.

Todd Adams, chairman of the Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education, said both votes to terminate Cain’s contract and elect Buckwell as interim superintendent were unanimous with all five members of the board present.

“It was time for a leadership change in Kannapolis. It’s what we thought was best for our students, our faculty and our community,” he said.