Initial Response: For requested records that are less than 24 months old at the time of the request, the requester will be notified within 10 business days from receipt of the request whether the district has records responsive to the request. For requested records that are more than 24 months old at the time of the request, the requester will be notified within 20 business days from receipt of the request whether the district has records responsive to the request. If the requested records will not be provided, the district’s response will include the reason why.

Final Response: If the district determines that it is in possession of records responsive to the request, not subject to an exemption, the requester will be provided the requested records no later than 30 calendar days from the date on which the fee deposit is received. If the records are more than 24 months old, the records will be provided no later than 35 calendar days from the date on which the fee deposit was received. The full fee must be paid by the requester before the records are released.

As allowed under Section 30-4-30 (B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual cost will be charged for the search, retrieval and, when appropriate, redaction of records produced in response to a request for public records. A 25% deposit of the total estimated fee will be required prior to beginning the retrieval and production of records. The full fee must be paid by the requester before records are released.

• Search, retrieval, and redaction costs of records will be charged at the prorated hourly salary of the lowest-paid employee who has the necessary skill and training to perform the search, retrieval and, if appropriate, redaction. Records requests involving specialized, technical or confidential information, or otherwise requiring redaction, may require an employee with a higher salary to perform the search, retrieval and/or redaction. The fee rate, accordingly, will vary based on the nature of the records requested, depending on the necessary skill and training level necessary. Employee time will be billed based on 1/4 hour increments.
• If photocopies of records are requested, copying costs will be charged at $0.16 per page. The copying fee for non-standard size documents will be determined at the time of copying based on actual copying costs. Copying costs will not be charged for copies of records that are transmitted in electronic format, although if requested records are not already in electronic format, fees will be charged for the staff time required to transfer the documents to electronic format.  
• A $10 fee will be assessed for a flash drive, if requested.
• Fee payments can be made by cash, check or money order at the Richland One Office of Communications, 1616 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Checks should be made payable to Richland County School District One and mailed to the above address or delivered in person.
• If the 25% fee deposit has not been paid within 30 calendar days, the request will be closed. If the deposit has been paid but the remaining fee balance is not paid within 30 calendar days, the request will be closed.