FOIA

Charleston Charter School for Math and Science (CCSMS) supports the public’s right to the information regarding the affairs of the employees and scholars.

 In compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), CCSMS works to quickly and clearly respond to requests of non-exempt documents made by the general public and the press.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding FOIA

Which documents are exempt under FOIA?

FOIA provides the public with access to existing non-exempt official records of a public agency. It does not require CCSMS to generate or create reports or records. Certain categories of information are exempt and are withheld. Items that are exempt from disclosure include, but are not limited to, personnel records, scholar records, tests, and examinations used to evaluate scholar or employee performance, particular records relating to security, records protected from disclosure under attorney-client privileges, and Board Meeting executive session materials.

How do I make a FOIA request involving CCSMS information?

To ensure that responses may be provided as quickly and efficiently as possible, requests for official public records made under FOIA should be specific in regards to the particular information requested. The written FOIA request should be dated and signed and include a return address. It is also helpful to provide a phone number and/or email address, so that, if necessary, CCSMS may contact the requesting individual and clarify a request.

The request may be submitted via mail, fax or email to the Executive Principal and CEO, Mary Carmichael, using the information below:

Attn: FOIA Request

Mary Carmichael, Executive Principal and CEO

Charleston Charter School for Math and Science 1002 King Street

Charleston, SC 29403

Email to Mrs. Carmichael

When can I expect a response, and will I need to pay for the requested information?

Please note that though CCSMS strives to respond to FOIA requests as quickly as possible, the law specifies that public bodies have a maximum of 10 working days, excluding weekends and holidays, to respond with a determination regarding the requested information. The law provides CCSMS with thirty calendar days from the date of the determination to provide any responsive non-exempt documents, unless the records are more than twenty-four months old, in which case the School has up to thirty-five calendar days from the date of the determination to produce such records.

Fees

Reasonable fees not to exceed the actual costs of searching for, retrieving, redacting, and reproducing records requested under the FOIA will be charged in accordance with S.C. Ann. 30-4-30 (B). The fee for the search, retrieval, or redaction of records shall not exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid employee who, in the reasonable discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request. CCSMS does not charge a fee for staff time devoted to determining whether the documents requested are subject to disclosure.

If it is determined that a fee will be assessed, the requester will be notified and given an opportunity to narrow the request or will be required to make a deposit of 25% in advance of any work being initiated. Payment in full will still be required before the public records are released.

*$49.10 per hour for search, retrieval and redaction time.

$10.00 per USB flash drive

$.011 per B/W – Letter Size

$.062 per Color – Letter Size

$.0156 per B/W – Legal Size

$.0698 per Color – Legal Size

*Labor fees are based upon the minimum hourly wage of the lowest paid positions, which in CCSMS’s reasonable discretion, have the necessary skill and training to respond to basic FOIA requests. FOIA requests requiring a  higher level of skill and training to respond will incur higher hourly labor rates.

Mailing Fees

Mailing costs will be assessed as charged by the U.S. Postal Service

**Non-standard sizes will be billed at the actual cost to the Charleston Charter School for Math and Science