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ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) -- The South Carolina State University Board of Trustees has refused to release its evaluation of school president George Cooper.

An attorney for the South Carolina Press Association says that's illegal.

Board Chairman Jonathan Pinson said Thursday the document was filed with the state Agency Head Salary Commission but would not be made public. It's the second straight year the evaluation has been withheld from the public.

Press Association attorney Jay Bender says the document is a public record and should be released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Last year, Cooper's average on his evaluation was 2.6 on a 1 to 5 scale. After the evaluation, the board voted not to extend his contract. He was rehired by a board with new members about two weeks later.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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