Image by Berkeley County Schools Rodney Thompson

The Berkeley County School Board has decided on a replacement for superintendent Dr. Anthony Parker, but the way the decision was made has a few people up in arms.

The board announced early last week that they had chosen Chief Administrative Officer Rodney Thompson as superintendent, but did so without allowing the public to weigh in on the decision and without releasing a list of finalists.

Thompson starts his job as superintendent today, but starts amid controversy brought about by the abrupt hiring process which S.C. Press Association attorney Jay Bender claims is a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Others, however, feel that the speed of the decision and cost effectiveness of bypassing a formal search with consultants, public hearings and such was the right move on the board's part.

The Post and Courier has an article highlighting both sides of the spectrum; read it here along with a bio of Rodney Thompson.