Virginia Military Institute’s first Black superintendent will leave his position June 30 after the school’s board voted against renewing his contract, a decision that followed months of political debate.

The VMI Board of Visitors voted 6-10 on Friday to reject a contract extension for Superintendent Cedric Wins during a special meeting that included more than two hours of closed-door discussion.

“The BOV is supremely grateful to Maj. Gen. Wins for his service to the Institute during some very difficult times,” Board of Visitors President John Adams said in a statement. “The foundation he has provided us will ensure VMI continues to fulfill its vital mission of educating future leaders.”

The board’s meeting was preceded by multiple statements of support for Wins from state officials and groups, including the Virginia NAACP. The vote sparked immediate criticism.

“This decision by the VMI Board is not based on performance or character — it is purely political,” Virginia House Speaker Don Scott said in a statement. “This is deeply disappointing, and it is time for a serious conversation about VMI’s commitment to progress and the Commonwealth.”

Wins was selected as interim superintendent in 2020, succeeding J.H. Binford Peay III, before being approved for the permanent role. He took the position as VMI faced allegations of racism, including lynching threats against Black cadets, as well as reports of racial and gender disparities.

Wins’ tenure saw him work to expand  VMI’s diversity, inclusivity and equity efforts while also improving school admissions, performance and operations. The vote was the latest development in a broader political battle over Wins’ position and the future of VMI’s leadership. Weeks earlier, Rep. Ben Cline called for an ethics investigation into VMI graduate and state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, alleging she was trying to influence the decision to extend Wins’ contract.

Similar allegations over Wins’ contract have emerged around Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s nominees for the VMI Board after state Democrats blocked two of his four nomi- nees in January. Youngkin’s appointees now account for 13 of the board’s 17 members.

It is unclear when and how the board will select its new superintendent, and some of Wins’ supporters are calling for greater scrutiny of the process following the vote.

“Given the public spectacle this has become, there are concerns that the board may have already pre-selected a candidate to serve as the next superintendent,” said Carroll Foy in a statement where she called for an independent evaluation of the board’s decision.

“Following the board’s questionable handling of Gen. Wins’ contract, it is essential for the General Assembly and the Governor’s administration to investigate the matter.”

At the time of publication, Wins had not issued a statement regarding the board’s decision.