BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—The Berkeley County School District may soon have to look for another superintendent. According to The Post & Courier, Rodney Thompson sent an email to district employees Tuesday night asking to be released from his contract during the summer of 2015.
Thompson became the superintendent in 2011 after serving as the district’s chief administrative officer. Prior to that, he’s worked as a teacher and principal.
According to Thompson’s email, “I feel the timing is right for me to request from the Board of Education to be released from my contract during the summer of 2015. Making this announcement now allows our Board ample time to select a replacement and I will assist with the transition as much as the Board desires.”
The superintendent’s request to resign from his position comes less than two weeks after a grand jury indicted Amy Kovach, the school district’s communications director, on a second charge of forgery relating to the ‘Yes 4 Schools’ campaign.
Thompson and Deputy Superintendent Archie Franchini have also been previous targets of an in depth investigation by SLED regarding the “Yes 4 Schools” campaign.
Thompson’s contract isn’t officially up until June 2017.
He reportedly earns a salary of more than $165,000 a year.
Below is Thompson’s email in its entirety:
Dear Berkeley County Educators;
Over the last 3½ years I’ve been blessed to be associated with a very supportive Board of Education, outstanding teachers, administrators and support staff. Due to the commitment of our stakeholders, we have more than exceeded the goals set by our Board of Education and made Berkeley County a great place to live, work and educate children. Our graduation rates have grown from 67% to over 80% while our student population has grown by more than 3,000 students during this period of time. Additionally, our financial audits show that the district is fiscally stable. Our five-year building plan is moving forward and we are looking forward to completing several projects in the near future. I would like to applaud our board members for the vision they have exhibited as we are now among the top performing districts in the state.
Given the stability of our district, I feel the timing is right for me to request from the Board of Education to be released from my contract during the summer of 2015. Making this announcement now allows our Board ample time to select a replacement and I will assist with the transition as much as the Board desires. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity that I’ve had to lead such a talented group of educators in Berkeley County, however, I now look forward to future opportunities that await me and my family. Between now and the summer, I will approach everyday just as I have for the last 3½ years, giving my all to continue to improve the educational services in our district.
Thanks again for your support and dedication to the students of Berkeley County,
Dr. Rodney Thompson
Prior Stories:
Grand jury indicts BCSD communications director Amy Kovach on forgery charges
BCSD unanimously votes to continue paying legal fees for indicted communications director
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