Rock Hill School Board of Trustees Fills Vacant Seat

Appointment of Bryan McAlinden

In a twist of events, Rock Hill School Board of Trustees has voted 5-1 to appoint Bryan McAlinden as an interim at-large representative. McAlinden will serve in this position until November of 2024. The proposal for McAlinden’s interim appointment was introduced by James Burns and seconded by Mildred Douglas. Both have expressed complete confidence in McAlinden’s potential to serve the district in the said capacity.

McAlinden is not new to the Rock Hill community. He, along with his wife, Mary Catherine, are parents to four children who are active students in Rock Hill Schools. An alumnus of the University of South Carolina, Bryan McAlinden is presently a medical device salesman by profession. Besides his work commitments, McAlinden also devotes substantial time volunteering in the community.

A Worthwhile Journey of its Predecessor

The At-Large Seat that McAlinden has now filled was previously occupied by Mr. Brent Faulkenberry. Faulkenberry had to step down from the Board of Trustees when he was elected to the City Council in October 2023. In appreciation for his relentless service to the children of Rock Hill, the board will officially acknowledge his contributions in the board meeting scheduled for tonight. They will also use this opportunity to swear in Bryan McAlinden as the new board member.

Application and Selection Process

The process to fill the vacant At-Large seat was one involving rigorous scrutiny. Drawing inspiration from the Clover School District, the Board of Trustees mapped out an application process that met with a unanimous nod at the November board business meeting. This process involved candidates submitting their resumes along with letters of interest for the Board’s review.

The Board received a whopping 29 applications. The selection panel convened on December 5 to filter out four candidates for the selection process’s final leg. James Jeter, Fred Jordan, Bryan McAlinden, and Kevin Thompson were shortlisted for interviews conducted in small groups on the following Monday morning.

Community Involvement Encouraged

The Board expresses gratitude for the outpouring of interest in serving the children of Rock Hill. It expressed hope that the individuals not selected would continue to harness their talents as school volunteers and mentors. The Board reiterated that this was an interim placement. The community will get an opportunity to choose a candidate through the 2024 general election.