JASPER COUNTY, S.C. () — Just days after the state took over the Jasper County School District (JCSD) amid questions about money, hiring and the role of their former superintendent, JCSD announced the appointment of an interim superintendent.

The South Carolina Department of Education named Laura Hickson, PhD, to the position Wednesday.

Hickson has more than 40 years of educational experience. She served as the superintendent of Florence School District 3 for 10 years.

She earned her Doctoral and Educational Specialist Degrees in Educational Leadership from South Carolina State University and principal certification from The Citadel. Starting her career in 1983 as an elementary and middle school teacher, she served as assistant principal, principal, accountability director and assistant superintendent of instruction.