Meadowview Christian School has hired Lee VanFleet as the school’s new headmaster.

VanFleet took over July 1 and follows former headmaster Renee Callen, who held the position for two years before resigning in May.

Meadowview is a hidden gem with much potential and chances for growth, VanFleet said.

“In my experience, I turn schools around. And this school is a great school, but it’s a secret,” VanFleet said. “We need to advertise better. We need to get out there in the public more and let them know what we got. We needed to do more in science, technology and math, and we’re doing that.”

In addition to his role as headmaster, VanFeet will also teach an advanced computer class at Meadowview.

“If you get a strong math and science background, the sky is the limit,” he said.

VanFleet said he is looking forward to the start of the school year Aug. 7 and working to provide students with a quality education.

“I am very excited because this is an opportunity at a great school to make it even better,” he said. “It’s a challenge to me, and I love a challenge.”

Before making his way to Meadowview Christian, VanFleet was assistant headmaster, counselor and advanced computer teacher at Autauga Academy in Prattville.

Before his time at Autauga Academy, VanFleet was the principal at Bibb County High School.

In 2011, VanFleet’s contract with the Bibb County Board of Education was terminated following an arrest for third-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor.

VanFleet said the incident occurred during a divorce, is in the past and doesn’t affect his credentials.

“I am a certified superintendent-principal by the state, and I am highly qualified in the area I’m working in,” VanFleet said. “Anything that has happened in the past … is irrelevant.”

Steve Johnson, chairman of the board for Meadowview, said VanFleet was up front with board members about the incident.

“He shared that with us in his very first interview with us when we were talking,” Johnson said.

Johnson said VanFleet explained the circumstances involving his departure from Bibb County and the board decided to move forward in the hiring process.

“We thought it all had to do with a personal dispute …. I don’t think it has anything to do with him being a good, fair person and being able to do a good job for Meadowview,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the board talked with people that have worked both for and alongside VanFleet and they had nothing but good things to say about him.

Johnson said VanFleet is the right man for the job at Meadowview.

“He had a lot of good ideas that he talked to us about, and we feel like, given time, that it will be a good thing for Meadowview,” Johnson said.

VanFleet attended Marion Institute before receiving a scholarship to Illinois State and then earned a master’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He is heading into his 42nd year in education and has 27 years of experience in administration.

Times-Journal Editor Justin Averette contributed to this report.